2012 NBA Mock Draft: How Every Team Will Address Draft Needs

With the 2012 NBA draft Thursday, June 28, the excitement over the first big offseason event has NBA fans across the country ready for the action.

As the fans enjoy what was a great postseason, the teams are already making moves and getting deals done in preparation for the draft. Expect more and more trades as the time for drafting finally approaches.

Every team has needs, and there is no better place to fill those than the NBA draft.

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

The New Orleans Hornets' ownership has changed this offseason, and so must the team’s mindset. Drafting Anthony Davis No. 1 proves that it’s time for a more responsible team at both ends of the court.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

While the Charlotte Bobcats feel jaded about losing the draft lottery, finding a star power forward who can walk right into the NBA and be a force like Thomas Robinson is a pretty darn good consolation prize.

3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

As John Wall finds his niche as more of a pure point guard who can score when needed, the Washington Wizards will give him a partner at shooting guard who can make the transition easier.

Brad Beal is the real deal.

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

The obvious void left by the LeBron James debacle has been the lack of a small forward who can take over a game. Cleveland hopes that they can find that man in Kentucky star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

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

Sacramento has a young team full of talent, but they also have a few big egos. Not only will UNC star Harrison Barnes walk onto the floor and be the team’s starting small forward, he could be the young leader they need.

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut

The Greg Oden project is officially over in Portland, but the need for a center who can be a force at both ends of the floor is still there. The Trail Blazers see the raw talent of a prospect like Andre Drummond, ignoring the red flags that tell them this could be trouble.

If Drummond’s performance in the 2012 NCAA tournament is an inclination of what we should expect in the NBA, this will be a bad selection.

7. Golden State Warriors: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

The Golden State Warriors need serious depth at both guard positions, and when they come across Dion Waiters at No. 7, the deal will be too good to pass up.

8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State

DeMar DeRozan is a nice player, but the Toronto Raptors need an impact player who can not only make his own shots, but find his open teammates. Damian Lillard fits that bill perfectly.

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

The Detroit Pistons have lacked the toughness that made them one of the best franchises in the NBA for a while now. Drafting a gritty North Carolina forward like John Henson could bring that attitude back.

10. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

With the addition of Anthony Davis at No. 1, the Hornets will stay down low with a pure center prospect in Illinois standout Meyers Leonard. Despite being very rough around the edges, he has a big upside.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut

With Brandon Roy possibly returning to the NBA with a team other than the Portland Trail Blazers, now is as good of a time as any to snag a talented shooting guard like UConn’s Jeremy Lamb who can lead the team into the future.

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

After trading Andrew Bogut to Golden State, the Bucks' void at center is very apparent. There is a chance Tyler Zeller won’t be the perfect fit, but he has the pedigree and size to be exactly what the team is looking for.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

If the Phoenix Suns are looking for a pure shooting guard with the No. 13 pick, then Austin Rivers is their man. If they are trying to find a playmaker to help replace the production of Steve Nash if he leaves, Rivers is a bad choice.

14. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

The Houston Rockets are mounting up for what could be the biggest blockbuster this offseason by trading their acquired first-round picks for the services of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

If this trade doesn’t come through, the Rockets will have plenty of picks to fall back on. Houston could grab Arnett Moultrie here and have a very nice building block for their offensive and defensive schemes.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky

The Philadelphia 76ers have been looking to move Andre Iguodala sporadically over the last few seasons. Drafting a potential talent like Terrence Jones could be the final piece that sends AI out of Philly.

16. Houston Rockets (via NY): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

All of Houston’s selections are hinged on the proposal to Howard, but the three picks they have in the mid-first round aren’t bad. If I were in charge of the Rockets, I would pass on a Howard trade.

If the deal indeed falls through, there is no reason to pass on a guard prospect as bright as Terrence Ross at No. 16. With Arnett Moultrie and another selection at No. 18, Houston may want to reconsider this deal.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Whether Jason Kidd wants to admit it or not, the time for change is upon us for the Dallas Mavericks. As much as Kidd should stay around to teach, the Mavs need to snag Kendall Marshall and make him the clear starting point guard of the team.

18. Houston Rockets (via UTAH from Minnesota Timberwolves): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Forget Dwight Howard at this point. If Fab Melo is there at No. 18, that means the Rockets will walk out of the first round with Arnett Moultrie, Terrence Ross and Fab Melo.

I’ll take that trio over renting Dwight Howard for one year any day.

19. Orlando Magic: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor

As odd as the Houston Rockets deal sounds, if they are truly offering this and the Magic have a chance to pick four players in the first round, they have to take the deal. Howard will likely leave anyway, and three first-round picks is the best you could ask for.

No matter what happens with Howard, Orlando will be looking to Perry Jones III to take over the power forward position and become their main offensive weapon. While the offense will have to be changed a bit, they can still run their inside-out style with Jones as their big man.

20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington

The Denver Nuggets need depth at guard, and drafting a versatile, dual threat like Tony Wroten will be an easy choice. While there are some concerns, George Karl will have Wroten playing his best.

21. Boston Celtics: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Jared Sullinger isn’t the fastest player in the draft, and there are serious concerns about his long-term health. With that said, Boston is still looking to win now.

If the Ohio State star falls to Boston at No. 21, this will be the steal of the draft.

22. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Boston will take one pick for the now and one pick for the future with their back-to-back first-round picks. Moe Harkless will come into the Celtics organization and give them much-needed depth at both shooting guard and small forward.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F, Iowa State

Joe Johnson and Josh Smith are great talents, but they have a hard time bringing consistent effort to the floor. The hope in drafting a player like Iowa State forward Royce White is that he not only offers his unique versatility, but also his unwavering effort.

The Hawks should hope his work ethic is contagious.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

With the Cavaliers taking a small forward early in the draft, the need for a compliment in the backcourt to Kyrie Irving will have them snagging Doron Lamb. Any other year, Lamb would have been in the top 10. That’s the Cavaliers' victory.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the most fundamentally sound teams in the NBA, and they will draft a very raw prospect in Andrew Nicholson. It will be a test of the organization to train him to be a viable NBA threat.

26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

The Indiana Pacers weren’t expecting much from their No. 26 pick when the day started, but if Marquis Teague falls to them and they get the ball-moving point guard they desperately need, this will be a huge win for the organization.

27. Miami Heat: Jeffrey Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

If the Miami Heat get a quality talent like Vanderbilt’s Jeffrey Taylor who can play multiple positions and defend them as well, this will be a great pick at No. 27.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt

Oklahoma City already has a great team, so taking a risk on a center prospect like Festus Ezeli is not something that will set them back. Judging from the low post play in the finals, the Thunder have to take this risk.

29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt

The Bulls need an elite shooting guard who can get to his spot and sink it when his number is called. Richard Hamilton couldn’t do it, so Chicago hopes John Jenkins can in his rookie season.

30. Golden State Warriors: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Despite a knee injury that has many teams concerned, the Golden State Warriors will be getting a player who can be a long-term solution. Quincy Miller is a great fit in Golden State.

Check back for more on the National Basketball Association as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s NBA page to get your fill of all things basketball.

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