2012 NBA Mock Draft: Forecast and Analysis of Round 1
NBA teams have gone through the arduous process of evaluating and dissecting the prospects in the 2012 NBA draft that it almost feels like there is nothing left to do. Besides, you know, actually drafting the players.
By now, all 30 teams have a clear plan and understand what they need to go after to improve both this year and for the long-term future. In a talented draft class, it should not be too hard to build for the future.
Here is a look at what we expect to happen in the 2012 NBA Draft.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF (Kentucky)
No surprise here. The Hornets lucked out by getting the No.1 pick, and Davis will take over the face of the franchise spot that Chris Paul vacated when he was traded last year.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF (Kansas)
While the Bobcats did not get the No. 1 pick, they luck out by landing the most improved player in college basketball from the past season. Robinson always had incredible athletic ability, but put it all together this season to help lead Kansas to the National Championship Game.
There is no need to feel bad for the Bobcats. Robinson is going to be a star, as he can score from anywhere on the floor and is a great defensive player who is ready to attack at any moment.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG (Florida)
A backcourt of Beal and John Wall suddenly makes the Wizards look a lot more formidable in the Eastern Conference. Beal's ability to shoot the lights out will help Wall develop into the star point guard everyone expected him to be.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (Kentucky)
Beal would be the ideal pick for the Cavaliers. With him off the board, they will have to settle for one of the best athletes and most polished freshman in this class.
Kidd-Gilchrist is the perfect pick for this franchise, which needs help at virtually every position except point guard. Kyrie Irving and Kidd-Gilchrist make for quite the dynamic duo, and Dan Gilbert's constant promises of championships won't look so outlandish.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF (North Carolina)
Barnes needs to focus more on using his size and athleticism in the NBA, but his raw skills are there. Given that he is ready to step in and score 12-15 points per game as a rookie, the Kings will be more than happy to work with him while he figures his skills out.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via New Jersey Nets): Damian Lillard (Weber State)
One of the no-brainer picks, Lillard is the best point guard in the draft. He isn't a great passer right now, yet he is good enough and can shoot the ball. He is fast and unafraid to take on bigger defenders by driving the lane.
7. Golden State Warriors: Andre Drummond, C (UConn)
I have no idea what to do with Drummond.
On the one hand, Drummond is 7-feet, 279 pounds with incredible length and is a strong defender. He has surprising range for someone his size, which only adds to his value.
On the other hand, Drummond rarely plays up to his potential. He never dominated at Connecticut like he should have, or at least like his talent said he should have. His inconsistencies should be enough to drop him down draft boards.
Given that the Warriors have to find size in the middle to help their perimeter players get even better, Drummond would be the best pick for this franchise.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG (UConn)
Speaking of underachievers at Connecticut, Lamb is still trying to figure out what kind of player he is going to be. The Raptors are so devoid of talent right now that they can afford to take the chance on him.
9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF (North Carolina)
I would be surprised if the Pistons didn't go after size. Henson is a strong defender in the middle, which is something the Pistons need right now.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Dion Waiters, SG (Syracuse)
After getting the size they need in the middle, the Hornets will get one of the best pure shooters with their second pick. Waiters will need a point guard to set him up, but when he gets one, he will explode.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
The Blazers should be looking for a center with their second pick. Leonard is not going to give much on offense, so they have to keep their four regulars healthy and productive. He will provide a boost in the middle on defense and grab more than his share of rebounds.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Tyler Zeller, C (North Carolina)
Zeller is going to follow the Tyler Hansbrough model of success in the NBA: Scoring a handful of baskets and grabbing six rebounds per game. That kind of player has value, though maybe not this high in the draft.
13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG (North Carolina)
The Suns need to replace Steve Nash, who may or may not be leaving via free agency. This franchise needs to get younger and build for the future, despite finishing close to a playoff spot this past season.
Marshall is a pass-first point guard who is still trying to find a consistent shot. Given the Suns like to run-and-gun, they need a player who can get everyone involved.
14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, SG (Duke)
Rivers is not the star we had him pegged to be prior to the 2011-12 college basketball season. He is not as bad as some might try to convince you he is.
Instead, Rivers is going to be a solid NBA shooting guard who needs to develop more trust in his teammates, rather than trying to do everything on his own.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Perry Jones III, SF/PF (Baylor)
With the 76ers having such a strong defense, their focus has to be on improving the offense. They have a good collection of parts that is missing a strong center to hold it all together.
Jones is an inconsistent, often frustrating talent. He has the talent to be a high lottery pick, yet still has to figure out how to play big in the big moments.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York Knicks): Jared Sullinger, PF (Ohio State)
Sullinger is probably not going to go this high because of his back injury, but someone is going to take a chance on the talent.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Terrence Jones, SF/PF (Kentucky)
The Mavericks love tall, versatile players who can step into multiple positions. Jones fits that bill to a T, yet he needs to use his size more inside to play up to his full potential.
18. Houston Rockets (via Minnesota Timberwolves): Terrence Ross, SG (Washington)
The Rockets might have big plans for the draft, or something else, after Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported they acquired the No. 18 pick from Minnesota on Tuesday.
For now, we will give them a pick. Ross adds another dimension to the offense, with his ability to shoot from deep.
19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C (Mississippi State)
With the Magic needing to figure out what to do with Dwight Howard, a dream scenario would be Moultrie falling to them with the No. 19 pick. He is as explosive as any big man in this draft, with the ability to rebound and defend at a level comparable to Howard.
The only real knock against Moultrie is his unwillingness to play inside. Howard is only capable of playing inside, so the Magic would have to teach Moultrie to be that player.
20. Denver Nuggets: Quincy Miller, SF (Baylor)
Miller is another versatile forward, which the Nuggets can use to build around. They need more defense, but Miller is too good to pass up right here.
21. Boston Celtics: Moe Harkless, SF (St. John's)
The Celtics need to devote a lot of time this offseason to getting younger. Harkless is the do-it-all type player that Doc Rivers demands.
22. Boston Celtics (via Los Angeles Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
Unlike Harkless, Melo doesn't do it all when he is on the court. He is not much of an offensive threat, which is fine because the Celtics need someone in the middle.
Kendrick Perkins was a linchpin for this team when it won the championship in 2008. Melo could turn into that kind of player for the Celtics.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, SF/PF (Iowa State)
White is the kind of talent that warrants a lottery selection. He does come with some baggage due to social anxiety disorder, which will push him down the boards.
If the Hawks and White are able to find a way to manage that, he could be the best value pick of the first round.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, PF (St. Bonaventure)
The Lakers need help in the backcourt, but Nicholson should be too rich to pass up at this spot. He is explosive and far more athletic than most power forwards in the NBA right now.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG (Kentucky)
Teague is far away from reaching his potential, yet the upside is there right now to warrant a first-round selection. He will give the already-talented Grizzlies roster more depth and a potential star in two years, if his development goes the right way.
26. Indiana Pacers: Tony Wroten Jr., PG (Washington)
The Pacers need to find a point guard who can help this talented offense run much smoother. He needs to find his shot, though his ability to pass and raw upside makes him a superstar with the right team around him.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)
Given that the Heat still need size, Ezeli could fall into an ideal situation. He does not have a lot of upside, though he can rebound and block shots. He won't do much on offense, which is not a big problem when you have LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG/SF (France)
The Thunder are loaded with talent right now, obviously. Fournier is not ready to come to the United States, though he is a sharpshooter who can try to develop over here as a 17-year-old.
29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG (Memphis)
An underrated guard in this class, Barton is a dynamic shooter who isn't afraid to take chances on offense. With Derrick Rose out for at least the first two months, the Bulls need to find versatile offense wherever they can.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio Spurs): Jeffery Taylor, SF (Vanderbilt)
The Warriors are going to use their second first-round pick on a talented shooter who can keep this offense performing at the high level it is accustomed to. Taylor is going to fit right in with Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis.
