2012 NBA Mock Draft: Excellent Landing Spots for Big College Stars
The 2012 NBA draft is just a few short days away, and everyone cannot wait to see where their favorite college stars land and which player the team they root for ends up selecting.
After Anthony Davis comes off the board at No. 1, anything could happen with a number of big-name players. Expect plenty of trades and drama to surround this lottery, but there aren’t too many bad decisions to be made with such a stacked class.
Let’s take a look at the latest first-round mock with a focus on where some of the stars will wind up.
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Davis is definitely going to be the next star in NOLA. He played in the national championship game in the city, and they will certainly be glad to have him on board. After losing Chris Paul last year, they did not have to wait long to nab another franchise player.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Robinson is a solid consolation prize for the lowly Bobcats. He’s got all the skills and size required from an NBA 4 and the intangibles to help turn this young team around.
While the ‘Cats are no threat to make the playoffs in 2013, they will be back quicker than many think.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
After trading for Trevor Ariza to fill their hole at SF, the Wizards can focus on upgrading their backcourt and getting a solid young player next to John Wall. Beal is the easy selection here, as he can hit the three, get to the rim and create his own shot.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Cleveland has been seeking an elite wing to pair with Kyrie Irving and give their Rookie of the Year someone to defer to. Barnes is a prototypical swingman that will be able to instantly make an impact.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
MKG is a perfect 3 and the steal of the draft if he goes No. 5 to Sacramento. He’s the hardest-working kid in the class and has a defensive prowess that will allow him to see minutes right away in their rotation. Once he develops an offensive game, Kidd-Gilchrist will be a star.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 New Jersey Nets): Andre Drummond, C, UConn
Drummond hasn’t proved much on the court, but he’s got a massive frame that scouts cannot stop salivating over. If he turns into a productive player and decides to start dominating, it will be tough to stop the one-and-done UConn man.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
The W’s don’t have a lot of depth at the guard position beyond Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. They could add a solid third guard to come off the bench initially in Lamb and hopefully develop him to eventually become a starter while sliding Klay to the 3.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Rivers has the swag to be a superstar in the NBA. He can make the big shots from anywhere on the floor while having the handles to get to the rim and create his own. He’s got to work on his movement without the ball, but this kid could be special.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson is a long, athletic big that fits nicely in the Detroit Pistons frontcourt next to Greg Monroe. Eventually the two would form a foundation that would take this team back to the postseason.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Marshall has great size and amazing vision, which makes him a nice fit in New Orleans with Anthony Davis. He might not be an elite shooter or athlete, but that will not be necessary if he’s an incredible facilitator.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Waiters is a solid 2 that can potentially log some minutes at the 1 due to his ball-handling ability. Portland isn’t likely to retain Jamal Crawford or Raymond Felton, so they definitely need to draft a high-upside, multi-talented guard here.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Zeller has the experience to potentially start right away for the Bucks. They lost a lot of size and defensive presence when they traded away Andrew Bogut, so this pick makes perfect sense.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Damian Lillard, G, Weber State
Lillard is an undersized shooting guard that will initially be asked to play PG in the NBA. If he can manage it (a la Russell Westbrook), this small-school prospect will be a great pick late in the lottery. If he is unable to handle the transition, he may better suited as more of an undersized energy guy coming off the bench.
14. Houston Rockets (34-32): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Leonard is a big body that will help protect the rim in Houston. He may not ever become an All-Star, but he should at least become a serviceable big.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
It’s uncertain right now as to what position Jones will play in the NBA, but he would be able to challenge Elton Brand for his job if he can play the 4 in Philly. Jones has got a ton of skills but needs to work on his consistency.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless is a super raw prospect with incredible athleticism and a lot of development to do. He has to seriously improve his jumper, but this young Johnnies product has one of the highest ceilings in the class.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
PJIII has been plummeting down draft boards because of his poor workouts and lack of a motor. If he can get motivated and show the will to dominate, he’ll be an All-Star. Unfortunately, at this juncture, it looks like a long shot to ever happen.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via 36-30 Utah Jazz): Terrence Ross, G, Washington
Ross would be a perfect 2 for the T-Wolves, as they are seriously lacking a good player at the position with the rest of their starting five pretty much set. He’d be an absolute steal as a versatile, high-upside off-guard this late in the draft.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger’s medical red flag is concerning for a number of teams, but the Magic cannot afford to miss out on a potential superstar big man. Dwight Howard is likely to be traded this season, so Sullinger would immediately help them out in the low post on both ends of the floor.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
There are still scouts and GMs that worry about Miller’s high school ACL injury, but a deep team like Denver should take a flyer on his potential. If he’s healthy, he could dominate one day.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Royce White, PF, Iowa State
White is a nice fit for the Celtics, who direly need to get younger at the 4 and 5. If he is truly able to conquer his anxiety issues and fear of flying, this pick is a steal for Beantown.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
With Kevin Garnett deteriorating and possibly leaving or retiring as an unrestricted free agent, Nicholson makes perfect sense to replace him. He has many of the same skills, although his work ethic and desire may not be as legendary as KG’s.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Moultrie is a possible lottery pick that could fall on draft day. It won’t be past the Hawks, who would love another super-athletic big that can hit jumpers and help make Josh Smith more expendable.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Lamb is a solid option next to Kyrie Irving in the Cavs backcourt. He’s unafraid to take over games and make big shots when they count, as evidenced by his NCAA tournament performance.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, PG/SG, Washington
Wroten is a great passer with solid court vision and immense size for the point guard position. However, he’s got to develop some sort of jumper (his is the worst in the draft, arguably) and become a better teammate.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Teague isn’t as skilled as some of the other PG prospects, but he’s athletic and can push a fast break. That would be perfect for the Pacers' second unit.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Melo’s stock is starting to rise now that he’s separating himself from that NCAA tournament issue (he was suspended by the Orange for internal reasons). Miami would love to pounce on him at No. 27, but they’ll have to get some luck.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green can hit the 3, rebound and defend multiple positions. He’s a leader and a high-character guy that the OKC Thunder would love in their locker room.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Jenkins has one of the best strokes in the draft and would be a natural replacement and injury fill-in for Rip Hamilton.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
Taylor can shoot and defend and is one of the best athletes in the class. The W’s can’t ask for anything more with the last pick in the first round.
