2012 NBA Mock Draft: Helpless Teams That Will Botch Lottery Picks
Every year in the NBA draft, struggling franchises prove why they are, well, struggling franchises.
There have been a lot of boneheaded picks throughout the years (some understandable, some unfathomable) as bottom-dwellers have wasted first-round draft picks and kept themselves firmly amongst the worst in the league.
But every year brings new hope to a franchise's fan base. Some will pick wisely this year, as others will flop.
Here's my latest 2012 NBA mock draft, complete with teams that will botch lottery picks (in italics).
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Anthony Davis' combination of athleticism, length, defense and shot-blocking ability will make him the No. 1 overall pick this year. He still needs to work on his post game and add strength, but that should come in time. Again, he only played one year of college ball. His potential is through the roof.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Thomas Robinson, with his explosiveness at the rim and elite rebounding ability, is just the kind of player the Bobcats need. They ranked 29th in rebounding this season, and they need an explosive scoring threat in the interior.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
When the Wizards traded for Trevor Ariza, the writing was on the wall: They will likely draft a shooting guard here to play alongside John Wall. Bradley Beal—with his inside-outside scoring ability and pesky defense—figures to be the selection here.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
The Cavaliers need an upgrade at small forward, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a top-five prospect in this year's class. MKG can score, rebound and defend and he plays with a never-ending motor. He's an obvious win here for the Cavaliers.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Kings have liked Harrison Barnes for the better part of the last year. While they could go with explosive post man Andre Drummond, I think they play it safe here and upgrade at small forward. The only problem is, it's the wrong choice. Barnes can defend with his length and score in rhythm, but that's about it. He has trouble creating his own shot and isn't a very good rebounder. I think he's vastly overrated.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
In Andre Drummond, the Trail Blazers may finally be able to make up for the disappointment of Greg Oden. Drummond is incredibly athletic and explosive and can be a complete big man. He certainly carries character concerns, but he's worth the risk for the Trail Blazers here.
7. Golden State Warriors: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
The Warriors would like a small forward at this spot, but they weren't incredibly impressed with Terrence Jones or Perry Jones III. In that respect, if they keep the draft pick, I could see them grabbing Dion Waiters. They have a fantastic young shooter in Klay Thompson at shooting guard, but Waiters would be an explosive option off the bench, like he was at Syracuse. Nothing wrong with having a dynamic scoring sixth man who can create problems on defense.
8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
I don't know who else the Raptors pick here besides Damian Lillard. They need an explosive point guard, and Lillard is certainly explosive. He figures to be an instant scoring threat in the NBA, and he gets into the paint almost at will. He needs to work a little better on finding his teammates, but he's an impressive prospect overall.
9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
John Henson isn't a legit top-10 pick in my opinion, but he could still be a solid NBA player. The Pistons are in a bit of a tough spot here because they need a shot-blocking power forward alongside Greg Monroe first and foremost, so they will probably reach here. Henson certainly can block shots, but he needs to add bulk to bang down low in the post and he's raw offensively.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Meyers Leonard is raw, but he has tons of potential. He's 7'1", 250 pounds, and he he has the length, athleticism, scoring ability at the hoop, defense and shot-blocking ability to be a good one down the road. Pairing him with Anthony Davis could create a dynamic combo.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
Austin Rivers is a possibility here, but picking two inconsistent players in the lottery is a bit much. Jeremy Lamb has the length, scoring ability and defense to be a nice player in the backcourt for Portland.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Tyler Zeller makes a lot of sense for the Bucks. His ability to run the floor and finish at the rim makes him a nice complement to speedy guards Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, and he's a solid rebounder.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Austin Rivers has a lot of potential on offense, but he needs to play better within the game and be more consistent. The Suns won't pass up a chance to add a potential big-time scorer alongside Steve Nash, though. I personally have concerns about Rivers.
14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
The Rockets would like a center here, but with Leonard and Zeller off the board, they could stand to use some size and depth in the post. Arnett Moultrie has the explosiveness and athleticism to potentially be a dangerous player in the NBA at the rim and on the glass.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
I personally think Terrence Jones is worthy of a lottery pick, given his potential to be a complete player in the NBA and guard both forward positions, but I don't think the draft will go that way. The 76ers have been trying to trade Andre Iguodala for a while now—drafting Jones would allow them to do that.
16. Houston Rockets (via NY): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Kevin Martin and Kevin McHale didn't exactly see eye-to-eye this past season. In that regard, I could see the Rockets drafting Terrence Ross (a lengthy, scoring wing who can cause problems on defense) and trading Martin down the line.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Kendall Marshall would be the perfect successor to Jason Kidd in Dallas with his excellent passing ability and propensity to make everyone around him better. He's not super-athletic, and he needs to work on his offensive game, but he's a pure point guard.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via UTAH): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
The Timberwolves would love a top shooting guard to fall in their lap, but that's unlikely to happen. Instead, they should grab their center of the future in Fab Melo, a big, athletic shot-blocker who can command the paint.
19. Orlando Magic: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor
Perry Jones III impressed at the combine as expected, given his explosiveness and athleticism, but the question is, can his play match his measurables? I think the answer for Jones is to insert him at small forward. I don't think he was ever meant to be a post player. He could be a steal here if he realizes his potential.
20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington
The Nuggets really only need depth. Their starting lineup is set. Tony Wroten could be a fantastic player with his explosiveness and passing ability, and he could even be a combo guard off the bench for Denver. Of course, some teams worry that he's difficult to coach. On the other hand, George Karl has plenty of experience dealing with such players.
21. Boston Celtics: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Jared Sullinger's lack of explosiveness and concerns about his back will likely drop him out of the lottery and potentially much lower. Still, he has an impressive post game and he knows how to play the game of basketball. Given he's also a heady player and good teammate, he should fit in with the Celtics.
22. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Moe Harkless could be Paul Pierce's replacement down the line. In his freshman season at Syracuse, he averaged 15.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks. That will give you an idea of what kind of player he is. He has a great deal of potential if he can fill out his frame. There are issues about this outside shooting ability, however.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F, Iowa State
I could see the Hawks trading Josh Smith to move up in the draft. But if they don't, I could see them drafting Royce White to replace Smith when he is traded. If anything, White gives them depth at both forward spots. He has lottery-pick talent, but an anxiety disorder, coupled with a fear of flying, has many teams cautious.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
The Cavaliers would love to find a shooting guard to pair up with Kyrie Irving, but there's no one worth grabbing here. Instead, they could add depth in the post with the promising Andrew Nicholson. Nicholson is explosive, athletic and dangerous around the rim. He'll dunk it in your face or swat it into the crowd. Did I mention he has an impressive jumper for a big man, extending out to the three-point line? He may be the steal of the draft if he lands here.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Doron Lamb is a silky smooth shooter with good length and a good head on his shoulders. I wouldn't be surprised if the Grizzlies let restricted free agent O.J. Mayo walk, opening up a spot for Lamb at shooting guard.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Marquis Teague is an obvious pick for the Pacers here. He improved dramatically throughout his freshman season at Kentucky and has the ability to score and set up his teammates nicely in the NBA. This would allow the Pacers to trade Darren Collison for something else.
27. Miami Heat: Jeffrey Taylor, SF, Vandebilt
Jeffrey Taylor is a personal favorite of mine who I believe will become a solid player in the NBA. He attacks the rim, has the potential to be a top-notch defender and he improved his outside shooting significantly in his senior season at Vanderbilt. Not a bad player to come off the bench.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
The Thunder could go with a guard here (looking at you, James Harden), but why not add another shot-blocking presence off the bench? I'm a firm believer in Ezeli, who has the size, rebounding ability and post defense to make a difference for the Thunder. He also has an emerging offensive game.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
John Jenkins is one of the best shooters in this draft, and he impressed in the Santa Barbara workouts in late May. An outside shooter to complement Derrick Rose in the backcourt is exactly what the Bulls need.
30. Golden State Warriors: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Quincy Miller, once considered a possible top-20 pick, may fall out of the first round entirely given concerns about his ACL, but he fits a position of need for the Warriors and his inside-outside offensive ability, combined with his rebounding and sheer athleticism and explosiveness when he's healthy, make him hard to pass up here.
Follow me on Twitter. We can talk about the NBA draft together.
