2012 NBA Mock Draft: Teams Who Will Find Their Next Cornerstone
Every team hits the draft hoping it will find a cornerstone player, but few actually do. In fact, you don't even have to get past the lottery selection before the hopes turn to simply finding a player that will be good enough to be a mainstay in the starting lineup.
So this mock draft is going to be devoted to the teams who will wind up fulfilling their biggest hopes and dreams by landing their cornerstone player.
Langford's 2012 NBA Mock Draft
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
When the New Orleans Hornets wound up with the No. 1 overall selection, they got the surest path to finding their cornerstone player. Anthony Davis is a rare prospect, who will be a dominant force in this league for years.
Sure, he has some work to do. He has to bulk up a bit and improve on his jumper, but he has a fantastic game.
Davis has the tools to be a great defensive player right off the bat. He has long arms, a good vertical leap and tremendous instincts.
Despite his lack of bulk, these skills will also make him an excellent rebounder. Offensively, he is quick and has nice touch. He will get his points, and as he gains size, his presence in the post will increase.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Coming off a record-breaking season for losing percentage, the Bobcats got another piece of bad fortune when they were bounced to the second selection in the draft.
Still, they will have the chance to draft another cornerstone player, and they won't let that pass when they take Kidd-Gilchrist.
MKG has shades of a young Jordan in him. It would be foolish to say that he will develop to anything near that level of dominance, but this is a tremendous athlete, who is great on defense and in the open court. He also has an intense competitive drive.
He needs to refine his jumper, but once he does, he will be unguardable.
3. Washington Wizards: Andre Drummond, C, UConn
Drummond is a massive center that is shockingly athletic. He is a bit of a project, but has way too much potential to pass on at No. 3.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Beal will be an excellent complementary piece to Kyrie Irving in the Cavs backcourt.
5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Thomas Robinson doesn't have as high a ceiling as the players taken in front of him, but that won't keep him from being a cornerstone player.
Robinson is a great rebounder, has a nice post game and good touch. He will struggle initially against the better power forwards in the league, but with a little effort, will improve over time.
Robinson isn't the kind of player that will ever contend for an MVP award, but he will be a perennial all-star.
Even more than this, though, it is his attitude and leadership that will make him a cornerstone. He is a fierce competitor and hard worker, and he will set the tone for this Kings team.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes is an athletic wing player. With a little consistency on his shot, he can be a great scorer in this league.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, SF, Baylor
Perry Jones is a unique prospect. He has the height of a center, but the skills of a small forward. He will need to continue to develop, but his ceiling is through the roof.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
The Raptors must add a scoring threat to their backcourt, and Lamb fills the role perfectly.
9. Detroit Pistons: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Moultrie athleticism will be a nice addition to the young Pistons. He is raw, but has the tools to succeed.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Leonard is a risky pick, but his 7' frame and solid athleticism won't allow him to fall beyond No. 10.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
The Blazers have to add a point guard, and Lillard has the potential to be a big-time scorer, who is not afraid to dish.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger is has some concerns over his back, but when it comes down to draft day, it won't greatly damage his draft stock. The Bucks need his offensive presence.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
The Suns need to reshape their backcourt. Rivers will add scoring pop, and may even develop into a point guard.
14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
The Rockets must add some length to their frontcourt. They won't do better than Zeller at No. 14.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Marshall will be a nice piece off the bench for the 76ers, and give them a true point guard.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Waiters is a nice backcourt prospect, and his addition to this team would give them lots of flexibility.
17. Dallas Mavericks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
In case you didn't notice, the Lamar Odom experiment in Dallas did not work out. This team still needs someone to back up Dirk Nowitzki.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Jones' excellent perimeter defense is exactly what the Timberwolves need.
19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Lamb will bring some much needed defense and athleticism to the Magic backcourt.
20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless is a perfect fit for the Nuggets. His length, athleticism and defense will slide seamlessly into their system.
21. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
Ross has the shooting to help replace the potential loss of Ray Allen, and he will bring some nice offense as well.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Boston needs to beef up their interior defensive presence. Melo has nice defensive potential.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson will bring some nice depth to the Hawks frontcourt. He will also help them get up and down the court.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
The Cavs must add some scoring punch to the wings, and Taylor knows how to get buckets.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
The Grizzlies don't need Jenkins in their crowded backcourt, but they will if they make a trade, and his presence will help them do that.
26. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas
Tony Mitchell brings some serious D and shot-blocking ability. He will be a nice piece off the bench.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
This is the ultimate in project picks, but the Heat can afford to take a project, and this may be the only way for them to land a true center.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Wroten is an exciting prospect, and he can be brought along slowly as Russell Westbrook's backup.
29. Chicago Bulls: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
Green is a well-rounded, selfless player. In other words, he is a perfect fit for the Bulls.
30. Golden State (via San Antonio Spurs): Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia
The Warriors must add some depth to their frountcourt. Jones is athletic and would be a nice fit.
