2012 NBA Mock Draft: Filling out the First Round Based on Team Needs
The 2012 NBA draft is just a week away, which means every single franchise in the league is finalizing their big board and getting prepared to select prospects, offer trades and do whatever is necessary to improve their roster.
It’s going to be a great class that is loaded with talent, which is a nice change from the top-heavy crops of talent in recent years.
Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with a focus on teams selecting based on need.
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
The Hornets need a franchise player and a big man. They just traded Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza away, clearing room for Davis to come in and start right away. He’s going to be the face of this franchise for years to come.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Robinson was easily right up there with Davis as the best player in college during the 2011-12 season, but has less upside because of his age and more limited (but still impressive) athleticism. He’s not a bad consolation prize for the ‘Cats, as they just hired a new coach and have a load of youthful talent to work with.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
With the Wizards bringing in Ariza, they have addressed their need for a solid swingman and can now look to add an elite SG to pair with John Wall in their backcourt. Beal is their man, as he can hit any shot on the floor, get to the cup and create his own shot.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Cavaliers were between Beal and Barnes, and they will have no problem taking the latter here to add a dynamic scorer to their lineup. The UNC product has prototypical size and abilities for an NBA-caliber 3.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
MKG is perhaps the best value in the draft at No. 5. The Kings aren’t satisfied with Tyreke Evans playing the 3 and would be better off moving him to a guard position. This opens up room for a supreme athlete, incredible defender and great finisher like Kidd-Gilchrist to get significant minutes.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, C, UConn
The Blazers lost their size after trading Marcus Camby and cutting Greg Oden, so they will need to roll the dice with Drummond here. He’s got an extremely high ceiling, but his production at UConn has left something to be desired. His size alone is worth the gamble.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Lamb wasn’t the most assertive player in college and should have been more dominant after taking the reigns of the team from Kemba Walker. He’s still got a lot of talent and could easily help replace Monta Ellis on the W’s roster.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Rivers has got the swag to be an elite 2 in the NBA. He’s confident, has excellent scoring ability and can handle the rock, but he’s got to get better at moving without the rock to master the position. The Raptors need someone with his superstar potential.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson is a long, athletic PF that can play defense and perfectly compliment Greg Monroe on an emerging frontline in the Motor City. With Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon coming off the books soon, they will have a nice group of big men to build around.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Marshall is perfect to lead the new-look Hornets’ offense. He’s got perfect size and best passing ability of any PG in the class, which means a lot of easy buckets for athletes like Anthony Davis.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Waiters can handle the rock, slash to the rim, possesses a great mid-range game and has a lot of room to develop his other raw skills. He’s not the most complete 2 right now, but his ceiling is high and the Blazers need some guards.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Zeller is a low-upside big that immediately fits in the Bucks thin backcourt. He can run up and down the floor with anyone and should help this young team get back in the postseason.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Damian Lillard, G, Weber State
Lillard has been destroying workouts and impressing everyone with his incredible scoring ability. There is some worry that he will not be able to facilitate an NBA offense, which in turn makes him an undersized SG. That is a tough gamble for the Suns, who will need someone to replace a Hall-of-Fame PG in Steve Nash.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Terrence Ross, G, Washington
Ross is an overall solid 2 that can do a bit of everything well. He makes Kevin Martin—a player Houston has been trying to trade—expendable and gives them a lot of upside at the position.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
Jones is a bit of a ‘tweener that has to figure out what position he’ll play in the NBA. If he can log minutes at the 4, he’ll immediately challenge Elton Brand for playing time in Philly.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Leonard is a big that might not ever be a star in the NBA, but the old adage goes that you cannot teach size. He’s definitely got the height to play in the league, but his skills are questionable.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
PJIII has been plummeting down the draft as his workouts have gone poor and his notoriously weak motor is becoming more of a focal point. He’s got superstar potential, but there is a lot of doubt that he will harness that.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller is a solid swingman that was recovering from a high school ACL injury during his freshman season. If he’s healthy and confident, he makes for a perfect fit with the T-Wolves, who are trying to trade Michael Beasley once again.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger went from the lottery to the mid-first because of his medical red flag. The Buckeye PF’s back may limit his career, but that won’t stop a team from taking a risk. The Magic are going to need a star big after they trade Dwight Howard, so look for them to nab him at No. 19.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless is a supremely raw prospect with tremendous upside. He’s got to develop a jumper so that he can make defenders pay for sagging off of him. It’s the only way he will be able to use his immense athleticism on a regular basis.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Royce White, PF, Iowa State
White has been doing well during interviews and seems that his fear of flying and anxiety disorder may not be a huge issue. He’ll be a steal for Boston at No. 21.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson is a perfect replacement for Kevin Garnett in Boston. He’s got the mid-range game, height and defensive prowess to immediately start replacing some of his production, although his intensity might be lacking.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Moultrie is a super-athletic prospect that would make Josh Smith expendable in ATL. The Bulldogs' forward can do many of the things Smith can, and will come at a much cheaper price tag and likely not become disgruntled.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Lamb is a nice option in the Cavs' backcourt with Kyrie Irving running the show and Barnes on the wing. He’s able to knock down open shots with ease and can do a lot of little things that the position requires.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
Wroten’s is known as somewhat of a bad teammate and has perhaps the worst jumper of any prospect in a long time. However, he’s an amazing passer, has great size and court vision, so he’s worth a first-round investment this late.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Teague is an absolute beast when he’s running the floor with other athletes. He’d be a perfect with the Pacers second unit, which is chock full of young gunners that need someone to push the break.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Melo missed the NCAA tournament and deprived himself a prime opportunity to show scouts his potential. He’s got a chance to become a great NBA center and the Heat will take it.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green is a beast that can play multiple positions, hit the three, guard many types of players and rebound well for his size. He’s a perfect fit for a Thunder team that needs versatility.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Jenkins has a great stroke and will eventually be able to replace Rip Hamilton in Chicago. He’d definitely be needed right away in a thin frontcourt while Derrick Rose is rehabbing.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
The W’s would love to nab an athlete and scorer that knows how to play defense and can contribute right away at No. 30. If Taylor is on the board, he’s coming off at this pick.
