2012 NBA Mock Draft: Possibly the Most Unpredictable Draft in Years

The NBA Finals are in full swing, and that means the NBA Draft is right around the corner. While almost everyone knows who will be going No. 1, everything after that is anyone's guess.

That's what makes it fun though, right?

Here is my mock draft, and I'm sure it won't even be close to what actually happens on June 28.

1. New Orleans Hornets—Anthony Davis.

That was easy. Next.

2. Charlotte Bobcats—Andre Drummond.

Rumors have surfaced that the Bobcats have put the No. 2 pick on the block, and one name that has come up in such rumors is James Harden.

I really like Harden as a player, but for a team coming off a seven-win season, do you really want to deal this pick for the Beard?

If I'm Michael Jordan, I'm going with Drummond.

One can make a legitimate argument that he has more potential than anyone in this draft, Davis included. A frontcourt of Drummond and Bismack Biyombo could end up being absolutely lethal defensively.

3. Washington Wizards—Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

A lot of people like Thomas Robinson at this pick, but I think Kidd-Gilchrist makes more sense for the Wizards.

Washington already has some young talent up front in Kevin Seraphin, Trevor Booker and Jan Vesely. What they need is another wing who can score, and Kidd-Gilchrist provides that.

I could see them taking Harrison Barnes here, too, but the general feeling is that Kidd-Gilchrist has a higher ceiling.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers—Harrison Barnes.

Much like the Wizards, the Cavaliers are in desperate need of a swingman who can put the ball in the basket. That is why Barnes is the right pick here.

Some like Bradley Beal over Barnes, but I think the University of North Carolina product is the safer pick.

5. Sacramento Kings—Thomas Robinson.

The Kings are not that far away from being a legitimate threat in the Western Conference, and drafting Robinson to put alongside of DeMarcus Cousins up front would go a long way in making Sacramento a team to be reckoned with.

6. Portland Trail Blazers—Damien Lillard.

Portland could use a center to pair with LaMarcus Aldridge in the frontcourt, but the only center worth considering at No. 6 (Drummond) is most likely going to be off the board.

Other than center, there aren't many other holes on the Blazers' roster.

I think Lillard makes the most sense, as, outside of Raymond Felton, Portland doesn't really have a true point guard to build a foundation on, and let's face it: Felton is no franchise floor general.

Although Lillard certainly needs to work on his point guard skills—he never averaged more than four assists per game in four years at Weber State—he is an explosive scorer and has solid potential.

7. Golden State Warriors—Jared Sullinger.

Some like Beal here, but I don't see how that makes any sense considering the Warriors just traded Monta Ellis to give Klay Thompson an opportunity.

Where Golden State really needs help is up front, and that's why I think it will take Sullinger—a player whose stock is fluctuating wildly by the second. Some have him going in the top 10, some have him falling into the late teens.

Still, I think he will fit the Warriors perfectly. He may be a bit undersized, but so were Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer, and they have gone on to have pretty successful NBA careers.

A frontcourt of Sullinger and Jeremy Tyler is definitely intriguing.

8. Toronto Raptors—Jeremy Lamb.

Toronto needs a point guard, but there won't be one worth taking at this pick. I think Lamb would be the right choice here.

The Raptors could then move DeMar DeRozan to small forward and let Lamb play the two. That could end up being a very nice one-two punch.

9. Detroit Pistons—Arnett Moultrie.

This may be a bit high for Moultrie, but the Pistons could really use another frontcourt scorer to put alongside of Greg Monroe. Neither Jason Maxiell nor Jonas Jerebko are likely going to be able to consistently provide that.

Moultrie, a player who reminds me a bit of Chris Bosh, is the pick at No. 9.

10. New Orleans Hornets—Bradley Beal.

There is a very good chance Eric Gordon leaves via free agency, so why not draft the player who is essentially Eric Gordon 2.0?

Some project Beal to go much higher than this in the draft.

11. Portland Trail Blazers—Meyers Leonard.

Let me be clear about this: I really am not crazy about Leonard's prospects as a player, but being that the Blazers need a big, I see them taking him.

12. Milwaukee Bucks—Tyler Zeller.

Whether or not the Bucks bring Ersan Ilyasova back is up in the air, so they have to prepare for the event that he walks.

That's why I think they'll take the seven-foot Zeller. Zeller isn't going to be a star, but he is a smart player who may end up having a very productive NBA career.

13. Phoenix Suns—Dion Waiters.

The Suns could certainly use a two-guard, as Shannon Brown is much more fit to come off the bench than start.

Waiters' athleticism should play right into Phoenix's run-and-gun philosophy, although said philosophy may cease to exist if Steve Nash signs elsewhere in free agency this summer.

You know what also makes this prediction pretty easy for me? The fact that the Suns already gave Waiters a guarantee.

14. Houston Rockets—Kendall Marshall.

The Rockets really don't have any glaring holes, so they really could just go with best player available here.

However, if there is one area that they could potentially be thin at, it's point guard. The word is that Kyle Lowry wants out, and Goran Dragic will be a free agent.

Marshall has a pure floor general mentality and reminds one of a young Mark Jackson. I think he has a very bright future in this league, and he would have some nice supporting talent on Houston to ease him into the adjustment process.

15. Philadelphia 76ers—John Henson.

With several impending free agents, the 76ers' roster is going to look very different next year. Philadelphia is already thin in its frontcourt and now, Spencer Hawes can walk.

That's why I feel Henson makes the most sense.

Most importantly, he will provide the Sixers with something they desperately need: a shot blocker. That said, this pick also may hinge on whether or not Philly decides to deal Andre Iguodala.

16. Houston Rockets—Terrence Ross.

Given Kevin Martin's injury history, the Rockets could use some depth at the two-guard spot.

Ross is an athletic freak who does nearly everything well, and he has the tools to be an outstanding defender on the NBA level. Houston would be wise to add him into the mix if he is available at No. 16.

17. Dallas Mavericks—Austin Rivers.

There is a good chance Vince Carter will not be back in Dallas next season, and that will leave the Mavericks lacking at shooting guard. Rivers makes sense in that regard, as he is the best two-guard remaining.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves—Terrence Jones.

The Timberwolves are another one of those teams that don't have any obvious holes. Looking at their roster, I think Jones would fit in well.

What I think Minnesota will do is look to trade Michael Beasley (again) and draft Jones to back up Derrick Williams at small forward.

As far as Wesley Johnson goes, I think it's safe to say he won't ever be anything more than a mediocre player at best. His presence won't stop general manager David Kahn from taking the Kentucky product.

19. Orlando Magic—Marquis Teague.

Who knows what the Magic will look like next season, as Dwight Howard's flip-flop act is still in full effect.

It's also looking like Jameer Nelson isn't going to be back. The latter is why I think Orlando will draft a point guard, and Teague is the best available point guard left.

20. Denver Nuggets—Royce White.

The Nuggets are interested in White, as they should be. He may be the most intriguing player in this entire draft.

He is probably a top 10 talent, but his anxiety disorder is scaring some teams away. Given his ability, though, it's hard to resist the temptation to draft him. I think Denver will be the team that pulls the trigger.

A 6'8", 270-pound forward who can handle the ball like a point guard? Sign George Karl up.

21. Boston Celtics—Moe Harkless.

The Celtics need a player who can break down the defense and score at the rim, and Harkless would provide that. He is still rather raw, but he has incredible potential.

Who better for a young small forward to learn from than Paul Pierce?

22. Boston Celtics—Fab Melo.

In terms of his skill set, Melo doesn't bring all that much to the table, but he will give Boston something it desperately needs: size.

I can see him becoming a defensive monster alongside of Kevin Garnett and giving the C's exactly what Kendrick Perkins gave them when he wore green.

Also, something to keep in mind: there are rumors that the Celtics will try to package both of these picks in a deal to move up in the draft.

23. Atlanta Hawks—Andrew Nicholson.

The Hawks greatly need some frontcourt depth, as they don't have much behind Al Horford and Josh Smith.

Nicholson could definitely end up developing into a very reliable threat offensively, and he is also likely going to be a solid NBA defender. Atlanta really can't go wrong with taking Nicholson here.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers—Perry Jones.

Jones' stock dropped dramatically this season, especially thanks to his essential no-show in the NCAA Tournament. However, there is no denying he still has talent, and Cleveland could use another big man.

25. Memphis Grizzlies—Doron Lamb.

Given the fact that restricted free agent O.J. Mayo could be playing elsewhere next season, the Grizzlies would be wise to pick up a two-guard.

Lamb isn't flashy, but he is an outstanding shooter who can help space the floor for Memphis.

26. Indiana Pacers—Festus Ezeli.

A tad high for Ezeli?

Maybe, but outside of Roy Hibbert, the Pacers do not have that much size up front. Ezeli would quickly change that, as he would provide a great rim-protector for Indiana whenever Hibbert is on the bench.

27. Miami Heat—Quincy Miller.

The Heat could use a center, but there won't be any worth drafting at this pick.

However, Miller is 6'10" and can stretch the floor, something Miami severely needs.

He doesn't have the build to play power forward yet, as Miller is listed at only 219 pounds, but if he adds some weight to his frame, it's possible.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder—Jeffery Taylor.

The Thunder are starving for a low-post threat, but there will not be any on the board at No. 28.

That said, they could also use some depth at small forward behind Kevin Durant. Taylor, who will probably be the best player available at this pick, would give them that.

He fits Oklahoma City's style well, too, as he is extremely athletic.

29. Chicago Bulls—Tony Wroten.

Richard Hamilton was a bit of a disappointment for the Bulls this year, largely due to his inability to stay healthy. That's why I think Chicago will look to take a guard here.

Wroten, who can play both backcourt positions, would be a great pick. He is freakishly athletic and has the tools to be a very good defender on the next level.

30. Golden State Warriors—Khris Middleton.

After a breakout year two seasons ago, Dorell Wright fell flat on his face in 2012, leaving the Warriors with a bit of a problem at small forward. The 6'8" Middleton would be a good selection for them here.