2012 NBA Mock Draft: Perfect Player to Fill Every Team's Biggest Need
As an NBA general manager, you try to balance your team's needs with a prospect's potential.
But what if you drafted purely on your team's needs?
This 2012 NBA mock draft will project how the first round would look if every team drafted based on its needs alone. Don't worry, New Orleans, you still get Anthony Davis.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Anthony Davis is not only the best prospect in the draft, he fits a need for New Orleans. The Hornets have been looking for an impact player at power forward ever since David West left town. Davis, with his elite shot-blocking ability and explosiveness at the rim, is a blessing bestowed upon the franchise courtesy of David Stern at the NBA lottery (just kidding...or am I?).
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Bobcats ranked 29th in rebounds last season. Thomas Robinson is a rebounding machine and an explosive interior presence. Problem solved.
3. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
After the departure of Nick Young, the Wizards have had trouble scoring from the wing. MKG, with his athleticism, toughness and ability to get to the rim, would be a nice fit.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Young sensation Kyrie Irving needs a partner-in-crime in the backcourt. Bradley Beal, the best shooting guard in the class, is the logical selection. Beal has inside-outside scoring ability and is a pesky defender.
5. Sacramento Kings: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
Andre Drummond may be raw, but he has the explosiveness and athleticism to be a star in the NBA. The Kings need a center and Drummond could be a good one.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via NJ): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
With Raymond Felton being a free agent this summer and off-guard Jamal Crawford being their only backup, Damian Lillard—with his explosive scoring and ability to get into the paint—would be the logical choice here.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Warriors have every starting position settled for next season except for small forward. Dorell Wright, coming off an impressive 2010-2011 campaign, disappointed last season for the Warriors. They need a starter at small forward, and Barnes is the best small forward available here.
8. Toronto Raptors: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
The Raptors need another scoring option on the wing, given Andrea Bargnani is their only true scoring threat. Dion Waiters, with his explosiveness to the rim and scoring ability, would be a good selection here.
9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Although John Henson is a bit of a reach here due to his raw offensive game, he would give the Pistons what they need, which is an above-the-rim shot-blocker and post defender alongside offensive-minded center Greg Monroe.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via MINN): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
The Hornets need the most help in the frontcourt. After selecting power forward Anthony Davis, center Meyers Leonard could complement him. Leonard is still raw, but he has an emerging offensive game, and he's big, strong and could develop into a complete center.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
After point guard, the Trail Blazers have a hole at center. Tyler Zeller, with his touch around the rim and rebounding ability, is the best center available here.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Obviously, in the real world, Fab Melo is a stretch at No. 12 overall. But when you're talking about biggest needs, the Bucks need a center after trading away Andrew Bogut. Fab Melo, with his shot-blocking ability and post defense, is the best center available.
13. Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
The Suns will be looking to add a perimeter player this year in the draft. Jeremy Lamb, with his silky-smooth shooting and ability to glide across the floor, is the logical pick here, and it would be a good value pick, as well.
14. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
With Kevin Martin likely to be traded soon, the Rockets could stand to add a shooting guard. Austin Rivers still needs to play better within the game, but his scoring ability alone could make him a lottery pick in this year's draft.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
I actually wouldn't be surprised if this is the 76ers' pick. Moultrie is long, athletic and explosive, and he has the ability to be dangerous near the rim offensively, as well as being a good shot-blocker. With Elton Brand aging, the 76ers need to find his next successor at power forward.
16. Houston Rockets (via NY): Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
The Rockets also need a true center. Festus Ezeli—at 7'0", 264 pounds—is a true center. He should be a good rebounder and post defender from the beginning, and he also has an emerging offensive game.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Tony Wroten Jr., G, Washington
The Mavericks need youth across the board, and with reports that they may land Deron Williams, why not add a combo guard to potentially replace Jason Terry? Tony Wroten has the explosiveness to get to the rim and score no matter which position he plays, and his inconsistency and character concerns may go away on a veteran team like the Mavericks.
18. Houston Rockets (via MINN): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
OK, there are a wealth of rumors surrounding the Rockets potentially acquiring Dwight Howard, but one of them has them trading Kyle Lowry for a top-10 pick, which they would then send over to Orlando in a package for the big man. In that sense, they'd need a point guard, and Kendall Marshall—with his great passing and ability to make everyone around him better—would be a nice guy to have to dish off to Howard. Just a thought.
19. Orlando Magic: Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky
The Magic need an upgrade at small forward (sorry, Hedo Turkoglu), and Terrence Jones could become the next Lamar Odom (pre-Dallas). He's a point-forward type of player who appeared to mature in the NCAA tournament this year.
20. Denver Nuggets: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
The Nuggets have their starting spots set, but they could use some depth at power forward. Andrew Nicholson, with his length and athleticism, could help out off the bench. He's a good rebounder who has an impressive perimeter game for a big man.
21. Boston Celtics: Perry Jones III, F, Baylor
The Celtics eventually need a successor to Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Nobody seems to come to a consensus as to what forward spot Perry Jones should play in the NBA, but we do know he has the ability to guard both forward spots. There are questions about his desire, but his sheer explosiveness is hard to pass up here.
22. Boston Celtics (via LAC): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
The Celtics also need to find a successor to Ray Allen at shooting guard. Terrence Ross is a long, athletic player who can score in bunches from the perimeter and contribute defensively. Good fit with the Celtics.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F, Iowa State
Given the Hawks have been looking to trade Josh Smith for a while, why not trade him and replace him with a similar player in Royce White? White is a strong, athletic, point-forward type player who has the ability to guard both forward spots.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via LAL): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
The Cavaliers still have a hole at small forward after, well, you-know-who left town. Moe Harkless would be a great pick for the Cavaliers. He's young, explosive and has tons of potential. He's also a good defender who can block shots.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Will Barton, SG, Memphis
The Grizzlies may let shooting guard O.J. Mayo walk as a restricted free agent. Will Barton actually isn't a reach here, in my opinion. He improved his jump shooting dramatically in his sophomore year at Memphis, had the length to be a threat on both the offensive and defensive end and he's one of the best rebounding guards in the class. And, c'mon, he played at Memphis.
26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Let's face it: The Pacers are no longer a rebuilding team; they are a rising team. In that sense, drafting some depth behind Danny Granger that could contribute immediately would be a good way to go. Draymond Green may not have the explosiveness to become a dynamic starter in the NBA, but he's a point-forward type player who already plays like a veteran. He would be a nice bench player for Indiana.
27. Miami Heat: Kyle O'Quinn, C, Norfolk State
The Heat's biggest need is obviously at the center position. In that regard, Kyle O'Quinn—whose draft stock has risen dramatically after the NCAA tournament and Portsmouth Invitational—is the best center available here. He's not a great athlete, but he has the potential to be a solid player with an all-around game in the NBA.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
A low-post scorer is arguably the Thunder's biggest need. In that case, Jared Sullinger would be an excellent pick here, not to mention being a great value pick. Sullinger's back issues are concerning teams, but he still has the post game and rebounding technique to be an effective player in the NBA.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
The Bulls need a perimeter shooter alongside Derrick Rose. John Jenkins is one of the best pure shooters in the draft. Problem solved.
30. Golden State Warriors (via SA): Miles Plumlee, PF, Duke
After David Lee, who do the Warriors have at power forward? Exactly. If they were to draft strictly on need, Miles Plumlee would likely be the selection. He's a tough, physical and athletic player who can crash the boards and block shots. Some are comparing him to Jeff Foster.
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