NBA Draft 2012: Players Each Top-3 Team Must Avoid
Screwing up a top-three pick is suicide.
You can’t do it if you plan on winning anytime soon. In the 2012 NBA Draft, it’ll be difficult to whiff on a top-three pick because the class is so talented, but there are definitely shot callers that are capable of pulling it off. Here are the prospects that each top-three team must pass on.
3. Austin Rivers
Rivers is a solid prospect, but let’s get real. He isn’t a top-three pick. Tell me why then, according to Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun, he’s scheduled to visit the Washington Wizards.
Sure, Washington desperately needs an upgrade at shooting guard, but Rivers would be a huge reach. Either Michael-Kidd Gilchrist or Bradley Beal will be on the board for the Wizards and spurning either wing would be foolish.
2. Andre Drummond
Washington is playing with fire. Michael Lee of the Washington Post tweeted this frightening report for Wizards fans:
"#iwzards have announced that Connecticut freshman center Andre Drummond is coming in for a solo workout on Monday.
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) June 15, 2012"
Washington has nothing on the wings next to John Wall and they're wasting time working out a center when they just traded for Nene. Sure, research is a key part of the draft process, but why work out a prospect that isn't even an option? It isn’t like a team interested in Drummond is going to be gullible enough to try to trade up.
1. Harrison Barnes
Michael Jordan’s lack of intelligence continues to baffle.
Broderick Turner of the Chicago Tribune reported that, according to sources, Charlotte’s targets at No. 2 include Harrison Barnes, Thomas Robinson and Bradley Beal. Now, let’s forget that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist didn’t make the Bobcats’ short list for just one second.
Harrison Barnes?!
Yes, Charlotte needs a major scoring boost, but they aren’t one player away from playoff contention—they’re like three, four or more away. They must select the best available player and Barnes definitely isn’t it. He isn’t even the best available perimeter scorer—Beal is.
Prepare to watch MJ blow yet another high draft pick.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
