2012 NBA Mock Draft: Lottery Picks That Will Reshape Struggling Teams
Sometimes being terrible pays off.
OK, I understand that makes little to no sense, but when there is an NBA draft class as loaded as 2012's, it's always a good thing to be able to have a lottery pick.
So while watching their team be terrible in 2011-12 was probably unbearable for fans, they (except for the Nets) will soon be rewarded with a snazzy young player.
Here's to tanking!
And in this year's class, there are plenty of players who immediately play a big part in turning around certain teams' struggles.
In my newest mock draft, I'll take a closer look at such players.
Note: These players are in italics
Also note: All following stats come from DraftExpress.com.
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Yes, Anthony Davis is going to reshape the New Orleans Hornets.
After struggling through an Eric Gordon-less season, the Hornets were given a break when they won the lottery and subsequently won Anthony Davis, the dominant power forward from Kentucky.
Davis will immediately turn New Orleans into a defensive powerhouse. His amazing length, athletic ability, and weak-side defensive IQ will help him translate his 4.7 blocks per game from Kentucky to the NBA.
Not only will he defend the rim, Davis can guard NBA small forwards and even has an improving mid-range game on offense.
This is the only no-brainer of the draft, and it immediately makes the Hornets a better squad.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Bobcats could draft about four or five different players here, but they need immediate help.
So, if they don't decide to trade this pick, they must go with Robinson, whose motor, athleticism and ability to knock down shots from the outside make him an immediate contribute.
He may not have the highest ceiling, but Robinson is what the Bobcats need now.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
For the Wizards, the time is now. They acquired Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza from the New Orleans Hornets. All they need for a legitimate starting five, along with John Wall and Nene, is a shooting guard.
And one who can score.
Enter Brad Beal, who is easily the logical choice for the Wiz here.
Beal struggled with inconsistency at Florida, but he's a classic case of looking at the process, not the results.
The young shooting guard has a pretty shooting stroke, he has a perfect NBA body, and his length should offset any concerns about his height. He's a solid defender and looks to be a future All-Star.
Don't be surprised if the Wizards sniff the playoffs in 2012-13.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Kidd-Gilchrist easily has the talent to go No. 2, but it appears the Cavs will luck out and see him fall to fourth-overall.
The former Kentucky star is the perfect fit for the Cavs, who need a small forward, especially one who has a relentless motor and is the former high school teammate of Kyrie Irving.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Kings are reportedly not interested in the Uber-talented Andre Drummond. Instead, they'll address their biggest need by getting a small forward.
Barnes has a pretty shot, and he'll benefit from having other playmakers around him drawing attention.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
I originally had Drummond here, but according to John Canzano, they prefer Lillard and won't wait until No. 11 to get him.
Makes sense considering the Blazers need a point guard and Lillard is one of the most explosive scorers in the draft.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
Drummond has a rare combination of size and athleticism, but he's yet to put it all together. That scares teams, and that's the only reason he'll drop this far.
That's fine with the Warriors, though, who don't have any reliable options at the center position.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Jeremy Lamb will be in play here, but Waiters' stock has been soaring and I don't think the Raptors will pass him up.
They already have a true point in Jose Calderon, so putting a dynamic scoring shooting guard next to him would make sense.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Pairing up Henson, a long, skinny athletic shot blocker, with Monroe, who is more of an old-school, below-the-rim big man, would work really well.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
The Hornets already grabbed Anthony Davis with the first pick, but with Emeka Okafor traded and Carl Landy and Chris Kaman hitting free agency, they still need some more frontcourt depth.
Leonard is a little raw, but he's a talented athletic big man and would work well next to Davis.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina Tar Heels
The Blazers would love to see Leonard here, as they need a center after grabbing Damian Lillard.
Nonetheless, Zeller is arguably more NBA-ready than Leonard and makes for a smart, low-risk pick.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor
Jones' lack of motor and rebounding skills definitely suggests he will be more of a small forward in the NBA.
Still though, he's big, strong and would make a dangerous power forward. The Bucks need some frontcourt depth and Jones would be a solid choice.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
The Suns need some perimeter help, and Lamb makes for very good value here.
With tremendous length, Lamb is a going to be a very pesky defender at the next level, not to mention his ability to fill it up from mid-range.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Terrence Jones, SF/PF, Kentucky
The Rockets desperately need a center here, but Jared Sullinger is too much like Luis Scola. Outside of him, there aren't any big man options here that make sense.
Instead, they'll grab Jones, who has been rising up draft boards. Another option is to trade one of their two first-round picks.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Jared Sullinger, PF/C, Ohio State
Sullinger has a lot of things going poorly for him right now, but that won't scare off the Sixers.
They need a low-post player, and Sullinger is one of the best scorers from the block in this draft.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
To me, this is a little low for Rivers, but sometimes that's just what happens in a loaded draft.
Rivers has a dynamic crossover that helps him get to the hoop with ease, and he also has extremely deep range from the perimeter.
Doc's son is an explosive player.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
The Mavs don't trust Roddy Beaubois and Jason Kidd won't be in town much longer. Deron Williams is a possible eventual replacement, but the Mavs can't afford to bank on him.
Instead, they'll grab Marshall, who is a pure point guard and makes everyone around him better.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
The Timberwolves get their dream scenario as Ross, who has lottery talent, falls to them at No. 18.
The former Washington standout is extremely athletic, he's a silky smooth shooter and he even improved his on-ball defense as his sophomore season went on.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
The Magic need some explosiveness and youth on the perimeter, and Harkless is just that.
He still needs to develop a jump shot, but his length and athleticism make him good at penetration, defense and rebounding. Shot or no shot, he can still contribute.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
The Nuggets don't have a ton of glaring needs, but grabbing Miller would give them a long, athletic wing player who could provide solid defense as a role player off the bench.
Miller also needs to work on his jump shooting, but he makes for a good complement to Danilo Gallinari.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Moultrie has talent that could propel him into the top 10 or 12 picks, but he'll slip a little bit because of all the talent in the draft.
The Celtics, who need an eventual replacement to Kevin Garnett, will be fine with that. This is a good fit for everyone involved.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
The Celtics may try to trade this pick or package both of their picks, but if they keep it, finding a suitable replacement for Ray Allen would make sense.
Jenkins is the best pure shooter in this draft. He was always consistent at Vanderbilt and has a quick release that will translate perfectly to the NBA.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Royce White, SF, Iowa State
White was starting to see his stock drop, but after dominating the interviews and putting to rest the concerns of his anxiety disorder, he could easily crack the top 20.
He combines his great size with tremendous ball handling and point guard-like vision.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
After getting Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 4, the Cavs would be smart to grab a true center to improve their frontcourt depth.
Melo still needs work on offense, but he is athletic and he's a dominant shot-blocker. Adding both MKG and Melo makes Cleveland a defensive force.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Tony Wroten still needs to work on his shooting and decision making, but the Grizzlies just need a backup point guard.
Wroten could develop in Memphis while still playing a solid role.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
The Pacers don't have a ton of glaring weaknesses, but a frontcourt player who could immediately step in and give 10-12 minutes per game would be crucial.
Draymond Green, who does everything on the court well, is the perfect pick for that task.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson doesn't have elite athleticism, but he's the perfect role player for a playoff team, so the Heat would do well to get him here.
In the former St. Bonaventure star, Miami gets a guy who has tremendous footwork on the block and a shot that extends out to the NBA three-point line.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Derek Fisher likely won't be around after this season and it will be hard for the Thunder to keep both Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Improving backcourt depth should be a priority, and Teague is the best available guard here.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Will Barton, SG, Memphis
At 6'6", 174 pounds, Barton desperately needs to add some weight to his skinny frame, but there's no doubting this kid can ball.
He did just about everything last year for the Tigers, and the Bulls would be smart to grab him, especially considering his stock is steadily rising.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
The Warriors got a potentially dominant center with their first pick, but they still would like to get a small forward.
Adding Taylor's maturity, toughness and athleticism would be the smart route to go for Golden State.
