NBA Mock Draft 2012: Players Destined to Be Valuable Role Players

The 2012 NBA draft will set college basketball stars off on many different career paths. Superstars, viable No. 2 options, career reserves and capable NBA role players will all be born from this year's NBA draft crop.

For now, let's focus on the role players. 

These players enjoyed excellent college careers, but their game will not completely translate to the next level. They may have a flawed skill set, or physical shortcomings could hold them back.

Let's see how this year's first round will pan out and highlight the players destined to be valuable complements in an NBA rotation.

*Italicized selections signify the aforementioned role players.

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky

If you are surprised by this you're either not a basketball fan, or you haven't paid attention for the last year.

Davis is a lock to go No. 1 overall. He will generate excitement, blocked shots and rebounds from day one.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Charlotte is shopping this pick, but Kidd-Gilchrist should be the guy if it stays put.

His motor is insatiable and the Bobcats desperately need his winning ways.

3. Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas            

Robinson doesn't have a high ceiling, but he may be the most NBA-ready player in this draft. The Wizards get John Wall an athletic and powerful finisher around the rim. 

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, Florida

This pick will make the Cavaliers an exciting team to watch next year. Beal is the draft's best 2-guard because of his shooting ability and uncanny knack for hitting the glass.

He is a tad undersized, but that issue is overblown.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

This could, just as easily, be Andre Drummond. Instead, I'll go with the high-character player. 

Barnes could thrive in the Kings' open-court attack. He brings immediate debate to any draft circle, but his upside is considerable.

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

Portland needs a point guard in the worst way, and Lillard's name has jumped up draft boards.

College basketball's No. 2 scorer last season will make a name for himself because of his explosiveness in the open floor. He could make the Trail Blazers a very interesting squad next season.

7. Golden State Warriors: Andre Drummond, C, UConn

I've gone back and forth many times on this one. Golden State desperately needs a capable player on the wing, but Drummond is too good to pass up here.

He can sit, and learn, behind Andrew Bogut for a few years while bringing a defensive presence off the bench.

Drummond has scary potential, but he has to want it.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn

Toronto will definitely address its perimeter. It's just a matter of where.

This could be Dion Waiters, but with DeMar DeRozan's slashing ability already in house, I'll opt for Lamb's perimeter shooting.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Henson makes perfect sense here. Detroit needs a big man to complement Greg Monroe inside.

Henson's defense will allow Monroe to focus on the offensive end. The former Tar Heel's offense is developing, and the upside is obvious.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

New Orleans really needs a point guard, but this is too high for Kendall Marshall. Waiters is a dynamic combo guard with a propensity for finishing at the rim.

He could be a big-time contributor relatively quickly.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Leonard will pair nicely with LaMarcus Aldridge inside. He is a project, but his athleticism as a true seven-footer breathes optimism. 

Portland's haul of Lillard and Leonard lays an interesting framework for the future in "Rip City."

12. Houston Rockets (via Milwaukee Bucks): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina   

The Bucks shipped Jon Brockman, Jon Leurer and the No. 12 pick to Houston for the No. 14 pick and Samuel Dalembert on Wednesday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The ideal situation for Houston involves sending their plethora of picks to Orlando in exchange for Dwight Howard. Until then, Zeller works here.

Zeller is the first player I mentioned who's destined for a long career as an NBA role player. He does many things well, but he doesn't stand out.

The seven-footer is extremely fast for a man his size. This will translate to the NBA without question. 

He has has an above-average baby hook that he can shoot over either shoulder, and he is stronger in the post than you may think. A mid-range jumper is possible with the ball in his hands, and he has great hands. 

Zeller doesn't have the athleticism to reach the upper-echelon of NBA players, but he will have a 10-plus year NBA career.

The Rockets will be able to plug him in immediately until a better option arises.

Expect Zeller to be a valuable rotation player in the NBA for a long time.

13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

This just makes too much sense to me. Phoenix must replace Steve Nash, and Marshall is the best passer in this year's draft. 

Despite his passing ability, Marshall will never be a "star" point guard in the NBA. 

He isn't a consistent outside shooter, struggles with quicker point guards and leans on his left hand almost entirely. He is not a great athlete and he lacks top-end speed.

Marshall, to me, is a spitting image of Andre Miller. I wouldn't call Miller a star, but he has been a very valuable point guard for a long time.

Expect Marshall to do the same because of his basketball IQ and uncanny knack for making the extra pass.

14. Milwaukee Bucks (via Houston Rockets): Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor

Milwaukee lands this pick through the aforementioned trade with Houston.

Jones III is the toughest NBA draft prospect to figure out. If he plays hard, and to his ability, he is among the draft's most talented players. 

But he rarely showed any drive, or willingness to get better, in his two-year Baylor career.

The Bucks grab a talented, but incomplete, project. 

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Doug Collins gets to coach the player his son recruited as a Duke assistant coach. Rivers will benefit from Collins' no-nonsense coaching dynamic.

He's a high-volume shooter with a slippery crossover and devastating fadeaway. The rest of his game needs work, but Rivers is a born scorer.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sullinger's stock has dropped because of red flags regarding his health.

Even so, I think Houston snatches up a very capable rotation player here. 

Sullinger's opposition may look at his height (6'9'') as an issue, but I'm wondering when 6'9'' became known as "short." Sure, there are bigger players but it won't keep Sullinger from being effective at the next level.

His athleticism will though. Sullinger uses his wide frame to shield off opponents on the low block, and he has excellent touch around the rim. He also has a developing perimeter shot.

When I see Sullinger, I think DeJuan Blair. He is short and stocky, has high character and a consistent motor.

He will give Houston valuable minutes off the bench immediately.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, SF/PF, Kentucky   

Dallas has a number of needs so I will just go with the best available player here.

Jones is a Lamar Odom clone with excellent versatility. His attitude is questionable at times, but he oozes physical tools. 

Maverick fans will love his athleticism and 7'2'' wingspan.

18. Houston Rockets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Minnesota shipped this pick to Houston on Tuesday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski's Twitter. In return, the T'Wolves received Chase Budinger.

If Houston keeps this pick (and I'm guessing they won't), it will be a small forward. It just depends on which style you prefer. 

I'll opt for Miller's shooting over Moe Harkless' raw athleticism.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

Orlando will need a replacement for Dwight Howard. Moultrie will fill a void down low, but he is a different player than Howard.

Moultrie can play every forward position and has a dangerous mid-range game. He isn't extremely well known, but he has a ton of upside.

20. Denver Nuggets: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

The Nuggets don't have any glaring needs. Ross is the best player on the board and one of this year's purest scorers. His length and athleticism will transition flawlessly.

21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, SF, St. Johns

Harkless defines raw, but he will have time to learn behind Paul Pierce. Boston will benefit immediately from his athleticism and open-floor ability.

Down the road, he could work wonders with Rajon Rondo on the fast break. 

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse    

To be honest, I hate Melo going any earlier than Miami at No. 27, but Boston's need at center is too dire to pass on this seven-footer.

Melo offers nearly nothing on the offensive end, but his defensive presence is considerable. He will eat up space and block shots immediately.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, SF/PF, Iowa State

White is an underrated talent because of his "tweener" size and well-documented anxiety issues. 

Last year, for the Cyclones, he was arguably the nation's most versatile player. I don't see that translating into NBA stardom, but he could be a valuable piece of the puzzle for Atlanta.

It feels like Josh Smith has been disgruntled for years. Who knows how long he will be in Atlanta? White isn't the insane athlete that Smith is, but he performs well in multiple areas.

White is an outstanding passer, underrated ball-handler and solid mid-range shooter. He uses his 260-pound frame to carve out space on the interior and has soft touch around the rim. 

The Hawks will be very happy with White in their rotation. He won't be a star, but he could eventually be the leader of their second unit.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Remember Nicholson's name. He comes from a mid-major program, but he isn't a mid-major talent.

Nicholson's motor will be welcomed in Cleveland as will his dangerous offensive repertoire. He works hard and isn't afraid to bang bodies down low. His range extends out to the perimeter, and he is a capable defender as well. 

Cleveland wants to win now. Beal and Nicholson will expedite that process.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Memphis needs a point guard, or they wouldn't have signed Gilbert Arenas for this season. Arenas won't be around forever, and Mike Conley will benefit from the continued competition.

I like Memphis to go with the point-guard-by-committee approach with Teague here. He came on strong for the Wildcats in the NCAA tournament, and he has a lot of room to grow offensively. 

He's an outstanding athlete. If he improves his decision-making, he will be a solid NBA point guard.

26. Indiana Pacers: Evan Fournier, SG/SF, France

Indiana adds a talented slasher here, but they probably won't call on him for a year or two. Stashing Fournier overseas will give the Pacers insurance for the future.

He needs to work on his outside shot, but his explosive first step, and length, makes him a tough matchup on the dribble-drive. 

27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Miami's in the same situation as Boston here. I don't like Ezeli as a first-round pick, but he fits a glaring need in the Heat's rotation.

He is an above-average athlete who will use his bulk to rebound, and block shots, right away.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, Michigan State   

Green will never be an NBA star, but he was born to be someone's "glue guy." His work ethic, winning attitude and leadership will be a perfect addition to the Thunder.

He's a stat-sheet-stuffer who learned under a great coach in Tom Izzo. He isn't going to expect big minutes, won't impact team chemistry and will do a ton of little things off of the Thunder bench.

The Thunder will love Green's ability to play multiple positions and his willingness to do whatever his team needs. 

His No. 1 priority is winning, and that is an invaluable trait. 

Comparing Green to a current NBA player is tough, but it's not hard to tell what type of player he will be. 

He's all grit and no glamour.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, Vanderbilt

This is a match made in heaven. The Bulls covet a capable shooter in the backcourt, and Jenkins is the draft's best perimeter threat.

His silky smooth jumper will provide instant offense off the Chicago bench. 

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

The Warriors fill their biggest need with the final pick of the first round. Taylor is experienced, solid offensively and a hardworking perimeter defender. 

Taylor adds another capable shooter to Golden State's rotation and he's mostly NBA-ready.