2012 NBA Mock Draft: Forecasting the Entire First Round
There has already been some wheeling and dealing as NBA teams begin to get ready for the draft on Thursday. It's always a time where plenty of moves are made. Then teams will look to prospects to fill any potential holes on the roster.
Anthony Davis still holds down the top spot after his dominant season at Kentucky, but things start to get a little more interesting after that with very few locks. That should make for one of the most interesting draft nights in years.
Here's a complete mock draft of the first round which highlights three players who have a great chance to make their new franchises look smart for taking them in the lottery.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Not only would it be a major surprise if the Hornets did anything other than select Davis with the first pick, it would be a mistake. He's going to shine right out of the gate.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Even though the Bobcats didn't land the first pick, they are still in a good position to land a franchise building block. Robinson had a tremendous season for Kansas, establishing himself as one of the most NBA-ready prospects available.
He took on a much bigger role for the Jayhawks and had no problem adapting to it. The power forward averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds while shooting better than 50 percent from the floor to help lead his team to the national title game.
Robinson plays solid defense, cleans up the glass and can keep defensive honest with mid-range jump shots. It would be nice to see him add more post moves, though. Otherwise, there's a lot to like about his future at the next level.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
The Wizards offense needs a boost, and Beal should have no problem providing it. He's one of the most complete guards in the draft and has the ability to score at will.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Although the Cavaliers had another disappointing season, things are starting to look up. Adding Kidd-Gilchrist to an already young roster should help turn things around.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes is well on his way to becoming an NBA superstar. He's already got great scoring ability and stands to get even better once he learns to create his own shot.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
Starting with this selection, things can start going plenty of different directions since the top-tier players will be gone. Dummond has terrific upside and shouldn't stay on the board long.
7. Golden State Warriors: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
It would have been nice to see Leonard stay in college for another season to fine-tune his game, but you can't blame him for coming out to be a potential lottery selection.
8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
One of the top scorers in college basketball last season, Lillard will finally start getting noticed after he gets drafted. He's an elite shooter who can also run an offense, and there just aren't many prospects with that type of ability any more.
He averaged 25 points, five rebounds and four assists in his final season at Weber State. Although those numbers came against lesser competition, they are still impressive and were certainly enough to catch the eye of many scouts.
The Raptors have several areas of need, but a do-it-all point guard would be a perfect start. While it will take some time for Lillard to transition to the NBA, Toronto can afford to have patience until the rest of the roster is fixed.
9. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
A swingman with the raw tools to develop into a star, Ross will eventually become a key contributor for the Pistons, thanks to his all-around game.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
The Hornets should have no problem making huge improvements to their roster with two picks inside the top 10. After landing Davis, an outside scorer like Lamb is the ideal duo.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
Even though Jones has started to slide a little bit, teams are always looking for players with his type of athleticism, so he should still come off the board pretty early.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Henson has great length and quickness, which should allow him to have success on the defensive end and on the glass right away. He's a work in progress on offense.
13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
The Suns will have a hole at point guard if veteran Steve Nash decides to take his talents to a team with a chance at a championship. Phoenix can't provide that right now, which means the franchise should be eying a point guard in Round 1.
Marshall is probably the best pure passer in the class. He averaged more assists (10) than points (eight) per game in his final season with the Tar Heels. The best work to describe him on the offensive end would be efficient.
In order to reach his peak, Marshall's outside shooting will need to improve so defenses can't lag off him. That said, he shouldn't have any problem stepping right into the lineup and making an instant impact for the Suns.
14. Houston Rockets: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
One of the most polished players in the entire class, Sullinger has actually been underrated because he doesn't have the same amount of potential as some of the other post players.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Zeller, PF, North Carolina
Zeller really did a nice job of improving his offensive game during his time at North Carolina and should provide nice overall value for the middle of Round 1.
16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
It was hard for any of the other Kentucky stars to stand out because Davis was usually hogging the spotlight, but Jones should thrive if placed in the right situation.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
While it's starting to look like Rivers might move up into the lottery, I still think he make more sense a little deeper in the round given his inconsistent performance on defense.
18. Houston Rockets: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Waiters has been moving up the ladder in recent weeks, so now the question becomes how high will he rise? His maximum value would probably come just inside the top 20.
19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
The Magic need to add some depth up front, especially with all the Dwight Howard speculation continuing to float around. Moultrie is a really nice pick at this point.
20. Denver Nuggets: Royce White, SF, Iowa State
If teams were more confident about White's scoring ability, he would be in the top-10 conversation. Since there are still concerns about his jump shot, he'll slide a bit.
21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Whatever team drafts Melo will know exactly what they are getting. A true center with good size and plenty of defensive upside. He won't do much on the offensive end yet, though.
22. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Whereas Melo is a pick to improve the defense, the Celtics have the luxury of picking again and can improve the offense with Nicholson. He can stretch the defense and is a good rotation for Melo.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Finding a point guard to command the offense would do wonders for the Hawks. Teague is still a raw prospect, but with experience should fill that void in Atlanta.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
The Cavaliers can afford to take a chance on a player like Harkless. While he has the potential to become a key piece to the puzzle, he's still a couple years from being a big factor.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Even though he still has a long way to go on the defensive end, somebody with as much pure scoring ability as Jenkins shouldn't fall out of the first round.
26. Indiana Pacers: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Wroten should have gone back to college and worked tirelessly to improve his jump shot. Since he decided to stay in the draft, he'll need to find a team that will be patient like Indiana.
27. Miami Heat: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
The Heat would benefit from two Vanderbilt stars at this point: either big man Festus Ezeli or Taylor, who has more upside and should be a more valuable depth piece.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Will Barton, SG, Memphis
James Harden struggled in the Finals after having a terrific season. Barton would give the team another option as the off guard and will help motivate Harden to keep getting back.
29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Chicago needs a shooting guard, so what better place to look than the national champions? Lamb has a good shooting stroke and would fit nicely with the Bulls.
30. Golden State Warriors: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Like many Baylor players, Miller has athletic ability, but needs to bulk up. If he does that, there's a good chance he will significantly outplay his draft position.
