2012 NBA Mock Draft: Up-and-Coming Talents Whose Stock Is on the Rise
The 2012 NBA Draft is just days away and a few prospects are shooting up draft boards.
Executives around the league are spending countless hours doing research on the best young talent in college and international basketball, and even with the draft so close, there are still many decisions and evaluations to be made.
A few players have been able to stand out in certain areas, and this has caused their stock to improve.
Here are my predictions for every first-round pick, highlighting the players who will end up getting drafted higher than many expect.
Note: Players who will be taken higher than expected are listed in italics.
Note II: All measurements are courtesy of CBSSports.com.
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Antony Davis, PF, Kentucky
There will be no surprises with this pick, as Davis has been the consensus top pick since winning a national championship with Kentucky.
He is the best defensive prospect available and led the nation with 4.7 blocks per game. He has an improving offensive skill set. There is no chance the Hornets will pass him up.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
A lot of the early projections had Michael-Kidd Gilchrist or Bradley Beal going after Anthony Davis, but teams are realizing how special a player Robinson is.
He is remarkably athletic and was second in the nation with 11.9 rebounds per game.
He has an incredible 7’3” wingspan and will continue to dominate on the glass in the NBA with his length and leaping ability.
Robinson put up 17.7 points per game last season on his way to an appearance in the finals of the NCAA Tournament. Charlotte will take him because of how solid he is in every area of the game.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Beal is a perfect fit for the Wizards now that Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza are on the roster.
He can light it up from outside and score by getting in the lane. Washington needs a two-guard who can produce points to round out the starting lineup, and Beal is the ideal player.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
The Cavaliers are in desperate need of help on the wing, and Michael-Kidd Gilchrist is the most dynamic perimeter defender in the draft.
He is big and lanky at 6’8” with a 7’0” wingspan. He has a non-stop motor and will be a fantastic fit in the Cleveland starting five.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Harrison Barnes was not originally thought of as a top-five pick, but Andre Drummond’s lack of production will cause him to drop, making Barnes the best option for Sacramento.
The North Carolina star has few weaknesses in his game and will help the struggling Kings in several areas.
He is a solid defender and, at 6'8", has great size for a small forward.
His mid-range jumper is one of the best in the draft. While he does not have elite quickness, he is a savvy scorer who put up 17.1 points last season for the Tar Heels.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Lillard may be used to small-school competition, but he has a big-league skill set.
He is a potent scorer who finished second in the nation with 24.5 points per game. He has a pretty jump shot and elite athleticism. He will be a productive player in the NBA.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Andre Drummond, PF/C, Connecticut
Drummond is one of the biggest risks in the lottery. He elite talent but put up lackluster numbers in college. He is just under 7’0” with excellent quickness and athleticism, but averaged just 10 points and 7.6 rebounds for UConn.
The Warriors will want a frontcourt partner for Andrew Bogut, and Drummond could be the second part of that lethal pair if he lives up to his potential.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
John Henson is an explosive leaper with a 7’5” wingspan that will make him hard to pass up.
He put his physical skills to good use in college and averaged 13.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.
He wasn’t guaranteed to be a lottery pick at the end of the college season, but now that teams have seen how lanky he really is, he will not slip outside of the top 10.
His offensive game needs work, but he shows relentless effort and is committed to the defensive end of the floor. Henson’s lack of bulk is another concern, but his length and athleticism give him a huge upside and will ensure that he is a top pick.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Waiters lacks a consistent perimeter game, but he can get in the lane and score at will.
He is a stout player at 6’4” and 221 pounds, and plays with a complete lack of fear. The Pistons need help in many areas, but Waiters is the most exciting player available at this point in the draft.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
The Hornets need to use this draft to convince Eric Gordon to re-sign with the team. Drafting Anthony Davis will help, but taking Marshall could seal the deal.
Marshall was second in the nation with 9.7 assists and a scorer like Gordon will be ecstatic to be paired with an unselfish player who will feed him the ball.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Meyers Leonard created plenty of buzz when he was measured at 7’1” at the combine.
Leonard is one of the best defensive big men in the draft and has the size, length and athleticism to be a force in the paint.
He shows promise on offense in the low post, but still needs a lot of work.
He was originally thought of as a late first-rounder, but his measurements and performance at the combine got a lot of teams talking. He will likely go in the lottery now.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Zeller is a blue-collar player whose skill and effort will ensure that he is a late lottery pick.
The center put up 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds as a senior in Chapel Hill. He is a high character player who will fill a need for the Bucks.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Rivers was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school and was touted as an all-around prospect.
He impressed as a scorer, putting 15.5 points per game, but did not show as well on defense or as a playmaker.
His shortcomings had many teams targeting him later in the first round, but he was measured at 6’5” at the combine, which is a little taller than he was previously listed. In addition, his offensive ability will be tempting for some lottery teams.
The Suns have always valued scoring talents. He will be a nice fit with Phoenix.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
Jones is a difficult prospect to evaluate as his skill set is rough around the edges. However, he may be the most physically gifted player in the draft.
His talent is undeniable, but his production at Baylor was unimpressive at times. He finished his sophomore year with 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He is a risky choice, but also has a huge upside.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
Jones is the type of versatile player who is perfect for Doug Collins and Philadelphia.
He is an excellent ball-handler and shooter. He has the size and coordination to play either forward spot, so Collins can move him around in order to create beneficial defensive matchups.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger is a top-10 talent who is in free-fall on many teams’ draft boards after being given a medical red flag due to back issues.
The Buckeyes’ power forward has a polished offensive game and is a dominant rebounder. The Rockets have a deep team. They can afford to take a chance on Sullinger.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
Lamb is a lanky two-guard who can help the Mavericks with points off the bench.
He put up 17.7 points per game at UConn, flashing a smooth jumper and excellent quickness. He has a crazy 6’11” wingspan. His long arms make him a dangerous defender.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Minnesota will be looking for scorers on the wing and Ross is an ideal pick. He has great range on his jump shot and is an explosive athlete.
Ross lacks a mid-range game, but he is a good three-point shooter and can blow by his defender and finish at the rim.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Orlando may be pushed into panic mode this offseason if Dwight Howard leaves, but Fab Melo could provide the team with at least some depth at center.
Melo will never be the player Howard is, but he has great size and athleticism and can protect the rim.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi St.
Moultrie has fantastic size and talent. He was a productive college player and averaged a double-double this past season.
He has a knack for grabbing offensive boards, pulling down 3.7 per game this past season. George Karl will undoubtedly put this skill to good use.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless is an explosive athlete. The Celtics do not have a player like him on their roster.
His skill set needs improvement, but he has the speed and leaping ability to bring energy and excitement off the bench.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Along with energy and excitement, the Celtic could use a shooter off the bench.
Jenkins averaged 19.9 points per game and shot 43.9 percent from three-point range. He has a lightning-quick release and can come off the bench and hit shots in the NBA.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington
Wroten Jr. is an all-or-nothing pick. He is an incredibly talented combo-guard with great size and athleticism, but also has a reputation for being difficult with coaches and teammates.
Like all these prospects, he is still young. If he can mature, he will be an excellent player. But at this point, he is a risky choice.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson has the talent to turn into a productive starter, although he is unproven against top competition.
He is big and athletic and plays aggressively in the post. He also shoots the ball incredibly well for a player his size. There is not a lot to dislike about him. The Cavs will just have to hope he takes well to the pro game.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Evan Fournier, SG, France
Fournier is a scoring guard with great size. He is 6’7” and can light it up with his mid-range game.
The Grizzlies would love to grab a productive offensive guard to bring off the bench, so they can finally deal O.J. Mayo.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller is athletic and versatile, but did not produce much in college.
He averaged just 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds for Baylor. He would have benefited from another year of college ball, but his talent makes him a risk worth taking at this point in the draft.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
There is no question that the Heat will target a big man with their late first-round pick. Ezeli will be the best option available.
He is a raw prospect, but he is a mobile center with excellent size. He is slightly shorter than 7’0” with a wingspan just under 7’5”. These measurements make him exactly what Miami needs.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Royce White, Small Forward, Iowa State
White is a fantastic talent who has struggled with anxiety issues and a serious fear of flying.
He is a point forward with a complete skill set. If the Thunder can get him acclimated to the rigors of the NBA schedule, White will be the steal of the draft.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Any big, athletic guard who commits himself to the defensive end of the floor will be successful in Chicago.
Teague will join Derrick Rose, another John Calipari recruit, and learn under the former MVP. Teague has the talent to be a productive player. Chicago will be the ideal place for him to hone his skills.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green is not an NBA-caliber athlete but has one of the highest basketball IQs of any prospect.
With the final pick in the first round, the Warriors would be wise to take a chance on his intangibles.
