NBA Mock Draft 2012: Dynamic Prospects Whose Stocks Are Rapidly Rising

The 2012 NBA draft boards are constantly shifting now that we're just under two weeks to go until draft day. Which stocks are rapidly rising? 

As teams figure out what they need and learn more about these players as details from the combine come out, some players are shooting up the boards. 

Those players are indicated by the italics in this latest version of my mock draft. 

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, Kentucky

It's hard for the stock of The Unibrow to rise any more than it already has since Anthony Davis has been locked in at No. 1 for the past few months.

The only way that Davis' stock could elevate is if he grew a beard to match James Harden and completed the follicular fascination above the eyes and below the eyes.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, as is the case with all of the top five picks, isn't really in a situation where his stock can rise. 

We all know about his never-ending motor and his "winner" characteristics, but we also know about his short-comings in the jump-shooting department. This is as high as MKG can possibly go. 

3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Thomas Robinson thinks he should be the No. 1 pick, but you'd be hard pressed to find a single draft scout or analyst who shares a similar pick. After all, there's cockiness and then there's arrogance. 

The former Kansas Jayhawk should make an immediate impact no matter where he goes, thanks to his NBA-ready body, but the Washington Wizards are just about the best possible fit for his skills. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

Bradley Beal may be the second-best prospect in this class—although I'd bump Michael Kidd-Gilchrist ever-so-slightly ahead of him—but the Charlotte Bobcats and Washington Wizards have more pressing needs. 

This is the perfect spot for Beal, who would form one of the best young backcourts in the league alongside Kyrie Irving. 

5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Andre Drummond's ceiling is so tremendously high that he might be the only player in the draft class with the height and athleticism necessary to jump up and touch it. Then again, there's also the potential for this raw man to become a bust of staggering proportions.

The Kings have so many players in the backcourt that they need to take the risk if Drummond is still available at No. 5. He's such a tantalizing prospect that he may not be.  

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, Weber State

Everything Damian Lillard does now seems to be working in his favor. After a great showing at the combine, the Weber State point guard has cemented his stock at the top of the point guard class. 

Lillard has quickly gone from fringe lottery prospect to No. 6 in mock drafts as people continue to realize just how good he can be. 

7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Harrison Barnes may never live up to the massive potential we laid upon his shoulders when he first came out of high school and stepped foot on campus at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. That said, he will still turn out to be a solid pick at No. 7 for the Golden State Warriors. 

The Dubs need a small forward to replace Dorell Wright and Barnes is the No. 2 option at that position in the draft class. No matter how much they hope Michael Kidd-Gilchrist falls to them here, that simply won't happen. 

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

While Jeremy Lamb appeared completely and utterly disinterested at the combine, especially during drills and less so during interviews, he's still too talented for the Toronto Raptors to pass up at No. 8. 

I wouldn't say that his stock is rising, especially because the questions about his motor are just getting stronger and stronger, but Lamb's ability to pull up off the dribble still makes him a valuable prospect. Between Lamb and Jonas Valanciunas, the Raptors could have a couple strong contenders for Rookie of the Year. 

9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Jared Sullinger is the proud owner of one of the best draft quotes in a while: "You want to draft somebody that's stupid athletic and is able to touch the top of the backboard, but has no skills or is just raw with talent, by any means, take that."

Once he measured in at just under 6'9" without shoes, scouts started to re-realize why they were so high on Sully in the first place.  

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Terrence Jones has the upside to make this pick worth the New Orleans Hornets' efforts, even if there are some rumors that Austin Rivers is the guy the team is looking to pair with Anthony Davis. 

Then again, we're just moving past the rumors that Tyler Zeller was going to be the pick here, so take everything with a grain of salt. 

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, Duke

Austin Rivers has a guarantee from a team picking late in the lottery, and there aren't many better fits than the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Rivers has a ton of NBA talent if he can get the mental portion of his game all figured out. His recent showings and perfect interviews have elevated his stock quite a bit. 

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Not many people impressed more at the combine than Meyers Leonard, who has now moved firmly past Tyler Zeller and is the No. 2 true center prospect in this lackluster class of seven-footers. 

That last attribute—the fact that he's a true seven-footer—is the primary reason that Leonard is almost assured of being a lottery pick. 

13. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters, Syracuse

According to the Journal-Times' Gary Woelfel, "I’ve been told by two NBA officials that it is the Phoenix Suns, who pick right after the Bucks." 

Picking Dion Waiters, a high-upisde combo guard who has moved up from the second round to the lottery in just about a month, would be a great fit for a team in desperate need of some offensive creativity.  

14. Houston Rockets: Perry Jones III, Baylor

Perry Jones III is simply too talented and too versatile to pass up with the last pick of the lottery.

If PJ3 bulks up, he can play center in an undersized lineup. He's also athletic enough to line up at small forward, a position that could very well become his primary one in the NBA.  

15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, North Carolina

The defense talents of John Henson are quite appealing at this point in the draft, especially considering the fact that the teddy-bear-soft Spencer Hawes has been manning the 5 when healthy for the Sixers. 

His offensive shortcomings may keep him from being a lottery pick, but the defense is just too good. 

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Tyler Zeller does everything well, but he doesn't stand out in any one area. He's a safe pick at No. 16, but doesn't have the same upside as the players around him.

Zeller has enough post moves to get by in the NBA, despite his lack of strength, and the range on his jumper is only improving.  

17. Dallas Mavericks: Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Things Kendall Marshall can do: pass like no other. 

Things Kendall Marshall can't do: everything else. 

That's an exaggeration, but it's to prove a point. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, Washington

Terrence Ross is a lottery-level talent, but he isn't moving up the draft boards like he should be because there are so many other shooting guards elevating their stocks even more. Plus, the teams in front of the Minnesota Timberwolves have more pressing positional needs than small forwards. 

If any player available is going to make the MInnesota Timberwolves into a playoff team, it's Ross. 

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Arnett Moultrie could have participated in drills at the combine and shown off enough physical talent to move up into the lottery, but he didn't for some inexplicable reason. 

Still though, the former Mississippi State big man's dynamic game is proving more and more valuable as the draft approaches. 

20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, St. John's

Moe Harkless has gone from second-round sleeper to potential lottery pick in a short matter of time, proving that he may have actually made the right decision to leave St. John's after just one season with the team.

Harkless has a tremendous amount of potential on both ends of the court, even if he is raw right now.  

21. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Here's what CBS's Jeff Goodman had to say about Andrew Nicholson after the combine: 

"

No one looked better in the workout setting than the former St. Bonnies star from Canada. He's so skilled -- and made shots from everywhere. At one point, I watched him drill 15 consecutive shots from just about every spot on the court. Strength is a concern at the next level, but he looked phenomenal in terms of his ability to score the ball in a variety of ways.

"

Nicholson is one of the biggest risers in the draft and his meteoric ascent may not be done yet. He's a lock to go in the first round at this point. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Quincy Miller, Baylor

Since italics are the indication of choice that a player's stock is on the rise, Quincy Miller's name would be in the opposite of italics if such a thing existed. 

Miller didn't do anything to dispel the notion that he can't shoot the ball and his offensive problems are starting to rear their ugly heads a bit more often in the minds of general managers. 

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, Iowa State

While Royce White is impressing in every way possible, particularly in interviews as he maturely handles questions about his past and his anxiety problems, the red flags are still too big.

No matter what White does between now and June 28th, this is about as high as his stock can go because of all the concerns.  

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo, Syracuse

The Cleveland Cavaliers don't have any true needs after selecting Bradley Beal at No. 4, which means they can focus on drafting depth in the frontcourt.

Fab Melo is the best big man left on the board, but only by default after the stocks of Andrew Nicholson and Arnett Moultrie have both climbed.  

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier, France

The Memphis Grizzlies want to take a player at No. 25 that they can leave in Europe for a year or two. 

That makes Evan Fournier the most logical option. 

26. Indiana Pacers: Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt

The Indiana Pacers don't have any true needs in this draft, which gives them the luxury of selecting the best prospect available.

Thanks to his jump-out-of-the-buliding hops, Jeffery Taylor is that guy. His hard-nosed mentality will fit in perfectly with the rest of the team.  

27. Miami Heat: Marquis Teague, Kentucky

The Miami Heat need help at center, but addressing that problem by drafting Festus Ezeli is not a good idea. The Vanderbilt center should not be going in the first round.

Marquis Teague is the pick here as the Heat look to build depth and upside at the point guard position.  

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State

It's pretty clear that the Oklahoma City Thunder are mature enough already, but adding one more winner like Draymond Green can never hurt. 

The Thunder need a capable backup for Kevin Durant and that's exactly what Green can be. 

29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Doron Lamb fills the one remaining hole in the Chicago Bulls, other than the short-term one dug by Derrick Rose's knee. He's also the two-way shooting guard that Tom Thibodeau would love. 

There's a solid chance that Lamb becomes a steal as we realize his talents were suppressed by the level of talent on the Kentucky Wildcats over the last two seasons. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs):  Tony Wroten, Washington

Tony Wroten is moving down on draft boards after a disappointing combine, but he's too talented to fall out of the first round.

A team like the Golden State Warriors that has every position in the starting lineup filled with a solid option after drafting Harrison Barnes can afford to take a flier on him.