2012 NBA Mock Draft: Picking Best Available Player for Every Team

In any sport's draft, the strategy is simple: pick the best player available.  If they fit your team, great.  If not, they can certainly be used in a trade.

On that note, this year's NBA draft is certainly going to be interesting because save for the first overall pick, which is expected to be used on Anthony Davis (pictured), the rest of the selections are completely up in the air as to who will go where.

Still, as someone who is drawn to the NBA draft like a moth to the flame, I have my own ideas as to who should go where.  That said, ladies and gentlemen, strap in.  It's time for another mock draft!

New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, F, Kentucky

Davis isn't exactly what one would call a scoring power forward, as his greatest strength is blocking shots.  In his lone season at Kentucky, he averaged 4.7 a game in that department.  Yet, on the NBA level, he's going to be expected to do more than just jump up and swat balls away.

Fortunately for Davis, if he goes to the Hornets, he'll have a couple of years to develop his offensive game.  Head coach Monty Williams' offense is very guard-oriented, and given the team's need for a shutdown presence at both power forward and center, the 6'10" Davis could potentially play both positions.

He's still a bit skinny at just 220 pounds, but the start of the season is a long way off.  That's plenty of time for him to hit the weight room and put on some muscle.

Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

The Bobcats were just plain awful last year, and their young lineup needs an injection of passion and determination.  Enter Kidd-Gilchrist, a fine swingman whose gung-ho attitude on the court is something that coaches dream of.

He didn't put up god-like numbers as a Kentucky freshman, but they were still respectable for someone his age.  His 11.8 points and 7.6 rebounds set him apart from other forwards in college basketball as he often looked like someone who'd been playing on that level for years.

His supreme athleticism will be a breath of fresh air in Charlotte, who could use him as the key building block to future successes.

Washington Wizards: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

The Washington Wizards are a young team with so much potential, but they have been bogged down by immaturity, horrific contracts and lack of leadership.  Last week, they made a move that would hopefully alleviate all three issues in trading Rashard Lewis and draft picks to the New Orleans Hornets for Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor.

However, both players are expected to hit free agency next summer, so the Wizards would be wise to select Robinson, a power forward whose explosive approach to the game reminds me of a younger Amar'e Stoudemire.  He averaged 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds for the Jayhawks last year and showed that he could score via the jumper and not just on the inside.

With both Okafor and Ariza serving as his mentors in DC, Robinson could very well become the reliable power forward that John Wall has lacked over his first two NBA seasons.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

With Anthony Parker 37 years old and about to hit free agency, it's the perfect time for the Cavs to keep getting younger.  That said, it is imperative that owner Dan Gilbert use his team's pick to take Beal, a fine shooter and athlete.

The freshman showed a keen ability to hit shots from anywhere on the court while playing for Billy Donovan and was also a fine rebounder, averaging 6.5 per game despite standing just 6'4".

Being drafted by Cleveland would give him the opportunity to build an on-court relationship with a fine point guard in Kyrie Irving and take his scoring to the next level as one of the reigning Rookie of the Year's go-to guys.  Should the two gel together well, playoff basketball could be back in Cleveland sooner rather than later.

Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

The Kings have a solid young starting group but next to nothing coming off the bench.  That's where Barnes comes in, having averaged 17.4 points for North Carolina last year while shooting 36 percent from long range.

The best thing about Barnes is that he's a pure scorer and provides some insurance for the Kings in case Jimmer Fredette continues to struggle in the new season.  He also adds some good size at 6'8", 215 pounds.  If he can add some defense and toughness to his game, then he'll be all the more valuable in Sacramento.

Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

Portland really needs a dominant center, and Drummond is the best available in that category.  He has great size at 6'10", 270 pounds and averaged 2.7 blocks for the Huskies last season.

His offensive game is pretty raw, but that's not Portland's first priority right now.  They need a center who can stand in the middle and shut opposing players down.  Drummond is ready to do that, though he is a bit slow running up and down the court.

Still, in time, this man is a dominant center just waiting to happen, and in Portland, chances are he'll get a good amount of playing time.

Golden State Warriors: Terrence Ross, SF, Washington

The Golden State Warriors are finally starting to come together as a team, but they still have a dire need at small forward.  Nothing against Dorell Wright, but he's little more than a shooter, and the team needs a player who can do more than just that.

Enter Ross, who averaged 6.5 rebounds to go with 15.3 points playing shooting guard at Washington last year.  Even though the Warriors would ask him to change positions, it shouldn't be that hard for him.  The man is a fine athlete despite being on the smaller side of 6'6", 195 pounds. With some time in the weight room, he could very well make the transition easily.

Toronto Raptors: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

No matter how you look at it, the Raptors need a big man.  Nothing against Aaron Gray, Ed Davis or Amir Johnson, but they're just not cutting it.  Thus, the best option for the team come Thursday night would be to draft the 7'1" Leonard and his aggressive approach under the basket.

As a sophomore last year, Leonard averaged 13.6 points and 8.2 rebounds to go with 1.9 blocks as he became one of the most under-the-radar sensations in college basketball.  He's a bit small at 245 pounds, but his upside is too great to pass up.

More importantly, he provides the Raptors with some insurance at center should last year's first-round pick, Jonas Valanciunas, turn out to be a bust—that is if he comes to the team at all next year.

Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

I like to think of Henson as a less dominant Anthony Davis as both are shot-blockers around the same size.  In his junior season at UNC, the 6'10" Henson averaged 13.8 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, and given the Pistons' need for an aggressive power forward, he could turn out to be their guy.

Look at it this way.  Greg Monroe is going to look a lot better this season and will be able to help with the scoring load a bit more easily.  He's going to need some help in the frontcourt, and if you ask me, Henson is better than Jason Maxiell, Jonas Jerebko and Charlie Villanueva combined.

New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

One of the Hornets' top priorities this offseason is going to be re-signing star shooting guard Eric Gordon.  In the event that he signs with another team, it's probably a good idea that GM Dell Demps use New Orleans' second first-round pick on someone who can score points effectively.

At this point in the draft, the man for that job will probably be Austin Rivers, son of Doc.  He and Gordon are similar in size, and while his greatest strength is from behind the three-point line, he's the type of player who can adapt to a scoring role very quickly.  In his sole year at Duke, he averaged 15.4 points and made 36 percent of his threes.

More importantly, he's a far better option at shooting guard than Marco Belinelli.

Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

After center, Portland's greatest need is at point guard, where Raymond Felton was a disappointment last year.  If the plan is to use a point man who can score points as well as dish out assists, then Lillard is the man for them.

The 6'3" floor general averaged 24.5 points, five rebounds and four assists in his junior season, and while his scoring would drop on the professional level, his passing numbers would elevate as he would be giving the ball to talented teammates in LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum.

Lillard could also become a great leader with the proper coaching, and if he could establish great on-court relationships with his teammates, then Portland will contend once again.

Milwaukee Bucks: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State

The Drew Gooden experiment failed, and Ersan Ilyasova is probably going to leave via free agency, so that means the Bucks are in the market for a big man.  At this point in the draft, the best man available will be the 6'11", 230-pound Moultrie, who averaged 15.8 points and 10.6 rebounds in his junior season.

Being a Scott Skiles-coached team, the Bucks are going to need a power forward who can play aggressively on both ends of the floor, but especially on defense.  Moultrie is absolutely fearless when it comes to going after rebounds, and though his shot blocking isn't what it should be for someone his size, that just isn't part of his game.

Insert him into the Milwaukee starting lineup next year, and he could probably average 13 and 10 a game to start.

Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

As long as Alvin Gentry is coaching the Phoenix Suns, the team is going to be all about one thing: fast-paced scoring.  With a hole to fill at shooting guard and the potential departure of Steve Nash, the team would be wise to draft Lamb and his stellar offensive game.

Not only is Lamb a fine three-point specialist and scorer, but he can dunk like no other.  If the team is destined to go into rebuilding mode, having Lamb as the cornerstone isn't the worst thing in the world.  His scoring abilities and fast-paced style on the court are what Phoenix is all about, and if he can succeed there, the Suns will shine a lot brighter in the desert.

Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, PF/C, North Carolina

Assuming that the Rockets try to deal Luis Scola, my best guess is that they'll draft Zeller to play power forward and take over at center for the aging free agent-to-be, Marcus Camby.  On top of that, regarding his play at center, he's a more versatile option than Samuel Dalembert.

Zeller also has good size at 7'0", 250 pounds, and when watching him during the 2012 NCAA tournament, his ferocity and determination reminded me of Kevin Love.  Though he won't be nearly as dominant as the Minnesota Timberwolves' star, Zeller still has the right attitude and skills that could make him a respectable option at his position.

He probably won't get much of a chance his rookie year, but the Rockets could get a great return on their investment in Zeller so long as they're patient.

Philadelphia 76ers: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Doug Collins has the Sixers playing a style of basketball that emphasizes defense, toughness and team play.  Given how the 6'4" Waiters is a swingman who could potentially do everything from scoring to playing pesky defense, he is a perfect fit in the City of Brotherly Love.

On top of that, the Sixers could very well lose sixth man Lou Williams to free agency, and given how he led the team in scoring, that could be a huge loss.  Still, that's why drafting Waiters should be first priority for Philly.

He may not be as good a scorer as Williams, but his versatility and athleticism are perfect for Collins' system and would make him a great fit on the Sixers.

Houston Rockets: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

As was reported last month, Kyle Lowry is not getting along with coach Kevin McHale and Goran Dragic and thus wants out of Houston.  Should he get his wish before the draft, the Rockets are going to need some depth at point guard, and that's where Marshall comes in.

Marshall averaged just 7.8 points as a sophomore last year, but he made up for his lack of scoring in that he also dished out 9.7 assists per game.  That alone is the sign of a great floor general in the making.  Having talented scoring targets in Kevin Martin and Luis Scola won't hurt his prospects either.

Will Marshall's scoring increase with experience?  Probably, but that's not what Houston needs him for.  He's on the team to provide passing and leadership, both of which he'll excel at.

Dallas Mavericks: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

As the point guard for the Kentucky Wildcats team that won a national title this year, Teague averaged just 9.4 points and 4.8 assists.  On paper, those numbers don't seem that impressive.

However, Teague is such a great athlete that his low numbers (in just one year of college ball, might I add) are overshadowed by his tremendous intangibles.  Never before have I seen a guard drive harder to the basket than him, and for someone just 6'2", 189 pounds, he has some mean dunking abilities.

Seeing as how the job of the point guard in the Mavericks' current system is to just be a distributor who shows occasional flashes of brilliance, Teague is a perfect fit.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  Terrence Jones will be the sleeper of the 2012 NBA draft, and barring any major injuries, he will be instrumental in getting the Timberwolves back to the playoffs.

The man averaged 12.5 points and seven rebounds for Kentucky last year and was one of the most explosive players on the team.  He goes out and gives his all every game and already has an NBA body at 6'9", 252 pounds.  Whether or not he'll start in Minnesota is debatable, but he'll be a definite improvement over Wesley Johnson.

And mark my words: He WILL win the Slam Dunk Contest.

Orlando Magic: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Right now, the Orlando Magic have Hedo Turkoglu slotted at small forward.  You don't need to be an expert nor an Orlando fan to know that a change is needed there.

Given how Harkless may very well be available by the time it's his team's turn, new GM Rob Hennigan would be wise to upgrade this position with a young prospect who, in time, could probably become a fine point forward in the same style as Andre Iguodala.

Harkless averaged 15.3 points and 8.6 points as a freshman last year and has decent size at 6'8", 208 pounds.  He needs to put some muscle on, but his athleticism will be welcome in Orlando as they prepare for the possibility of having to go into rebuilding mode.

Denver Nuggets: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

This pick may seem a bit premature, but the Nuggets could really use some depth at center.  Nothing against Javale McGee, but his head isn't always in the game, and both Timofey Mozgov and Kosta Koufos aren't exactly what I'd call reliable backups.

Melo, on the other hand, is a great shot-blocker who averaged 2.9 per game last year for the Orange.  His offensive game isn't anything to write home about, but he has good size at 7'0", 255 pounds and could become a dominant center in his own right.

Given how Denver needs some dominance at that position in case McGee doesn't pan out, Melo could be worth the gamble.

Boston Celtics: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

With Kevin Garnett hitting free agency and possibly headed for retirement, it's safe to say that the Celtics will need a power forward.  Enter Jones, whose stock has dropped as of late, probably due to his slow approach on defense.

Still, with Doc Rivers as his head coach, it's almost a sure bet that Jones will develop his defensive game if he wants to accumulate significant minutes.  He has great size for a power forward at 6'11", 235 pounds and averaged 14 points and 7.7 rebounds for Baylor last year.

Put him on the right team with a coach who's willing to crack the whip with him a bit, but also let him showcase his strengths, and it could be as though KG never left.

Boston Celtics: Will Barton, SG, Memphis

On top of needing to replace Garnett, the Celtics will probably have to find the successor to shooting threat Ray Allen.  Enter Barton, who averaged 18.1 points and 8.1 rebounds for the Tigers last year.

While he'll surely be able to drain some threes for Boston, having shot 35 percent from downtown for Memphis in 2012, Barton will also bring a full offensive game to the table.  He can also drive hard to the basket and draw fouls with ease.

Given how the key to Boston's future success is a complete game on both sides of the floor, Barton could be a great fit if he pans out.

Atlanta Hawks: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Assuming Al Horford is playing center next season and Josh Smith remains at power forward, the Hawks will need to fill a hole at the 3.  At this point, it looks as though the best man available will be Taylor, who proved to be a good scoring forward for Vanderbilt last year.

The 6'7" Taylor averaged 16.4 points and 5.8 rebounds for the SEC champions last year and shot a very impressive 42 percent from long range.  Given the Hawks' balanced offense, he could slowly work his way into the rotation as one of the go-to guys.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Royce White, F, Iowa State

As bright as the future is for the Cavs, their roster could use a bit more in the athleticism department.  That said, drafting Royce White to play both forward positions could turn out to be a great idea.

White has decent size at 6'8", 260 pounds and averaged 13.1 points and 9.2 rebounds last year.  The only marks against him, if you ask me, are his lack of speed and the fact that he doesn't have much of a jump shot.  If he can improve both entering his rookie year, then his future could be bright.

Memphis Grizzlies: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

For some reason or another, the Memphis Grizzlies have been using Tony Allen, a defensive pest, as their starting shooting guard.  If they want to continue rising up in the ranks of the competitive Western Conference, they should bench him and draft a pure shooter to take over at the 2 to help complement Rudy Gay and the inconsistent/oft-injured Zach Randolph.

That said, Doron Lamb is the man for Lionel Hollins and his team.  The sophomore averaged 13.7 points last year and shot an astounding 47 percent from long range last year and could be just enough to put the Grizzlies over the top.

He'll likely need some time to develop his skills on the professional level, but once he adapts, the results will speak for themselves.

Indiana Pacers: Tony Wroten, G, Washington

Indiana needs help at point guard, specifically because both Darren Collison and George Hill tend to be shoot-first at the position, plus both are a bit small.  Wroten gives coach Frank Vogel a bigger guard who can play both guard positions a la Rodney Stuckey, has the ability to balance his passing with his scoring well and also plays great defense.

Wroten averaged 16.7 points to just 3.4 assists last year, but Vogel is the kind of coach who could turn him into an effective floor general.  Have Wroten build a great relationship with Danny Granger and the rest of the team's go-to guys, and you have a diamond in the rough.

Miami Heat: Quincy Miller, F, Baylor

I look at Miller, and I see a forward who reminds me of a young Shane Battier.  He works hard, plays hard and is a great leader in the making.

Miller, a freshman, averaged 11.1 points and five boards in 2012 and proved to be a great athlete all around.  He can score and rebound and is a great dunker as well.

Even though Miami is fresh off a championship, they're going to need some help off the bench on top of Battier and Mike Miller.  This young man is a work in progress but definitely has the potential to be great.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

With the aging Nazr Mohammed entering free agency July 1, chances are the Thunder will need some depth at center for whenever Kendrick Perkins needs a rest.  In taking Ezeli, they get another big body who could serve the same purpose as Perkins.

Ezeli is 6'11", 264 pounds and proved to be a fine shot-blocker in college, just what the Thunder need to keep their roster improving.  How much playing time he'll get is up in the air, but there's no denying that when it comes to shutting another team's big man down, Ezeli could definitely have the potential to do that.

Chicago Bulls: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Any Chicago Bulls fan will tell you that Carlos Boozer has been a disappointment thus far.  That said, if a draft night miracle occurs and GM Gar Forman is able to somehow deal away his huge contract, I wouldn't at all be surprised if Sullinger is selected with this pick.

Sullinger's stock has slipped in recent weeks due to a back injury that doctors have pointed out as a potential concern, but the fact remains that the man was a stud in college and could very well be the same in the NBA.  He has great size at 6'9", 265 pounds and averaged 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Buckeyes last year.

More importantly, Sullinger isn't afraid to put his body on the line and never hesitates to work hard under the basket, something Boozer rarely ever does.  If Boozer can be dealt and Taj Gibson gets inserted into the starting lineup, Sullinger will be a more-than-capable backup.

Golden State Warriors: Khris Middleton, F, Texas A&M

Once again, the Warriors will look to draft a small forward so that they may keep all of their options open at the position.  To close out the first round, I see them taking Middleton, a fine scoring forward.

An injury kept the 6'7" Middleton out for a month this year, but he still managed to average 13.2 points and five rebounds for the Aggies.  He's a bit undersized for his position at just 210 pounds, but he has a lot of heart and determination in his approach to the game.

If he's willing to hit the gym and put on some pounds, not to mention work on his defense, then I can see him being a solid bench player in his rookie season.