2012 NBA Mock Draft: Calculated Choices for Every First Round GM

The NBA Draft makes general managers sweat. Their franchise's future relies on every draft selection's potential and whether or not they pan out.

This year's pool of players has an extraordinary blend of size, shooting, defense and experience. A certain players' style will be coveted by at least one particular GM.

Let's map out the first round of the draft and figure out which general managers will be thinking hard before handing David Stern their selection.

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)

Not a whole lot of thinking here. Davis is the consensus No. 1 pick and projects as an All-Star for years to come. His length and defensive awareness will separate him from average NBA forwards.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)

Michael Jordan and the Bobcat brass know what this pick means. They won just seven games in 2011. Finding anything but a star is unacceptable.

But they have a number of choices here. They could trade the pick, draft a small forward or take Robinson (the draft's No. 2 big man).

If they stay put, Robinson is a sure thing. He doesn't have a high ceiling, but he's an NBA-ready player in terms of talent and physicality. He's extremely athletic and will be a consistent double-double presence in the Charlotte frontcourt.

Jordan could decide to take fellow Tar Heel Harrison Barnes, or he could go with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Both carry No. 2 value, and both selections would make sense.

Trading the pick for multiple picks, a veteran or both would also make sense.

A lot of thinking will go into Charlotte's offseason. It all begins with this pick.

3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)         

Beal complement's John Wall's attack-the-rim style perfectly. He is a dynamic scorer with underrated rebounding skills.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)

Kidd-Gilchrist has intangibles fit for a 10-year NBA veteran. He is a tenacious defender who loves to win. If he improves his ball-handling, he has star potential.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)

Barnes' character would be a welcome addition to the Kings' rotation. He is a deadly spot-up shooter with tremendous upside.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard (Weber State)

This pick could be Andre Drummond, but I don't think there's much of a debate. Portland needs a point guard, and Damian Lillard is one of the best scorers in this draft. He's explosive in the open floor and attacks the rim with relentless tenacity.

7. Golden State Warriors: Andre Drummond, C (UConn)

Golden State GM Bob Myers has a tough choice ahead of him. His team holds four draft picks, and he must set the tone with a smart pick at No. 7.

The Warriors are very close to being a playoff-caliber team. They need one more piece in their frontcourt, and they need an elite wing player.

Both of these needs will be available here, but I like Drummond to come off the board.

Drummond is an outstanding athlete. He's an intimidating defender, and he shows flashes on the offensive end. The only real question is his desire, but that could change with maturity.

When Drummond's freshman season is criticized, you have to keep in mind that he played college ball as a 17-year-old. He oozes upside, and he has a ton of room to grow.

The Warriors would benefit from adding Drummond to their open-floor attack. He would provide solid depth behind Andrew Bogut until he's ready to start.

Golden State could also consider Terrence Jones or Perry Jones III with this pick. Their presence on the wing would be an upgrade over Dorell Wright, but Drummond, based on potential, could be the best player in the draft.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)

The Raptors need backcourt help, and Lamb is the best option available. He's a silky smooth scorer with the propensity for clutch shots.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)

Greg Monroe is Detroit's man in the middle, but he needs some help. Henson's ability to defend multiple positions and his budding offensive game will complement Monroe nicely.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)

Waiters is devastating in transition, and he still has room to grow. His perimeter game is good, but his lighting-quick first step gets him into the lane consistently.

He and Davis give New Orleans an exciting young core.

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11. Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)

Leonard is a very raw but athletic seven-footer. Athletic and seven-footer don't pair together very often, and Portland will take advantage. Leonard's shot-blocking will complement LaMarcus Aldridge and give rookie guard Damian Lillard capable targets down low.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina) 

Zeller is good, but not great, across the board. He runs the floor well and will earn himself NBA minutes for 10-plus years.

13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)

The Suns need their point guard of the future, but Austin Rivers will be an intriguing choice. Either way, you can bank on this pick adding to the Phoenix backcourt.

Point guard is the most important position in the game, so I think the Suns overdraft Marshall. His value is closer to the 15-20 range, but he fills a big need.

Marshall's savvy, pass-first tendencies are second-to-none in this draft. He has incredible vision and the knack for finding his open teammates.

He isn't a great defender and he's not much of a scoring threat, but Marshall's basketball IQ is off the charts. His presence improves his team's offense because he always understands where to look next.

Phoenix needs Marshall, but Rivers' scoring will have the Suns thinking. They could certainly use both, but Marshall is the correct pick here.

14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)

Rivers claims he's going in the lottery, and this is his last chance. Houston takes the volume-shooter and hopes it can mold his attitude to its team-first system.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Perry Jones III, SF/PF (Baylor)

Jones III is enigmatic but undoubtedly talented. He will fill a vital bench role before eventually replacing Elton Brand. His position is debatable, but he is an unbelievable athlete.

16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)

Sullinger's back is a reason for worry, but Houston takes him at No. 16. The Rockets won't strain Sullinger with starter's minutes, and it's a good situation for both sides.

But it could certainly cause debate among Houston's brass. Several talented players will be on the board, and others will be a lot healthier than Sullinger at this point.

Terrence Jones has bigger upside here, but Sullinger could contribute right away. He's a hard worker, and he scores well from inside and out.

The Rockets will have to consider his back for sure, but Sullinger could wind up being a steal. With two first-round picks, the Rockets can afford to gamble a bit.

He isn't going to be a star, but Sullinger could be a very valuable role player for years to come.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, SF/PF (Kentucky)  

Jones is a matchup nightmare because of his freakish athleticism. His 7'2'' wingspan gives him the length to play both forward spots, and he has the offensive repertoire to pull it off.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)

Ross is 6'6'', athletic and shoots the lights out. Minnesota lacked a shooter to spread the floor last year, and Ross could thrive next to Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C (Mississippi State)

Moultrie is a rangy southpaw who's capable of stretching the floor. He has experience at small forward, but his size suggests a low-post game. Moultrie is an underrated talent.

He's a perfect building block for Orlando's future.

20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)

Miller is a silky smooth scorer with major upside. He will add serious punch off of Denver's bench and could be a star if handled correctly.

21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)

Harkless' raw athleticism coincides with this draft slot, but the rest of his game does not. He will benefit from Paul Pierce's tutelage, and he could develop into a solid piece of Boston's future.

22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)   

This pick will be a big man. It's just a matter of which one.

Melo makes the most sense. Boston needs a center, and they shouldn't rely on Kevin Garnett to man the middle even if they should re-sign him. Melo would fit their biggest need.

Royce White and Andrew Nicholson are both better players. Both power forwards would provide an infusion to Boston's offense, and both are capable defenders.

Melo, on the other hand, is all defense. His offense doesn't exist outside of lay-ups and dunks.

The Celtics know how important this draft is. They must surround Rajon Rondo with as much talent as possible. Melo is a major project, and he may never get there, but Boston's center need is dire.

Boston must hope Garnett grooms him, and he turns into a defensive stalwart, at the very least. Otherwise, they will regret passing on two consistent double-double threats.

 23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, SF/PF (Iowa State)

White is one of the best ball-handlers you will ever see in the frontcourt. His unique game and excellent passing ability will be a great addition to Atlanta's rotation.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)

Nicholson comes from a low-profile Bonnies program, but he is a name to know. He's a dangerous face-up shooter who isn't afraid to work down low. Cleveland will benefit from giving Kyrie Irving a target down low.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)

Memphis needs a point guard bad enough that they decided to bring in Gilbert Arenas this season. Teague is still raw, but he will be capable once he improves his decision-making.

26. Indiana Pacers: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)

Wroten Jr.'s potential is through the roof, but his shooting must improve. He makes breathtaking passes, and his 6'6'' frame gives him a major advantage. He could replace Darren Collison sooner rather than later.

 27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)

Miami can't keep putting Joel Anthony out there. Instead, they'll bring in Ezeli.

He's big (6'11''), athletic and averaged double figures last year for the Commodores. Miami will appreciate his physical presence at both ends of the court.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG/SF (France)

The Thunder must be prepared for next offseason. Signing James Harden isn't a sure thing, and Fournier should be ready by then. Drafting this lanky guard and stashing him in Europe is a good idea for the future of Sam Presti's team.

He needs to improve his shot, but Fournier excels in transition.

29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG (Memphis)

Barton uses a dynamic mid-range game and his lanky 6'6'' frame to outscore opponents. His height will give him easy looks over smaller guards.

Chicago desperately needs a shooting guard, and Kyle Korver's presence negates John Jenkins' chances here.

30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)

The Warriors passed on a wing at No. 7 but not here. Taylor doesn't have a high ceiling, but he's a capable shooter and shutdown defender.

Taylor's experience will couple well with current Warrior players.