NBA Draft 2012: 8 First-Round Targets for 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers enjoyed a fun ride in playoffs and almost made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. They came up a bit short, and there will be new faces on their roster next season.

The Sixers definitely have multiple areas of need going into next season. They need some size, and they also need someone who can shoot long-range. 

Here are some of the potential players the Sixers could target in the first round of the 2012 NBA draft.

Terrence Jones

Terrence Jones is very similar to some of the current players on the Sixers' roster. He's likely best suited to play the 3 in the NBA.

The Sixers already have Thaddeus Young, Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner on their current roster. All three players predominately see the floor at small forward.

This certainly would not be a popular pick among Sixers' fans, but it could be very popular with their management.

Jones was a productive player in his two years at Kentucky. The 20-year-old has good potential and will likely be on the board when the Sixers are on the clock. 

Tyler Zeller

Tyler Zeller is a 7'0" product from UNC. He's a versatile player who can run the floor and impact the game.

The Sixers have lacked a true presence down-low for quite some time, and Zeller would instantly improve the Sixers' defense. He would also fit in with the locker room very well because of his high-motor and hard work-ethic.

He's 250 pounds, but he is athletic enough to run the floor. Zeller has a nice hook shot and is one of the best perimeter shooting big men in this year's draft.

Zeller would be a real solid pick for the Sixers at 15th overall. Unfortunately, the talented center might not last long enough for the Sixers to grab.

Jeremy Lamb

Jeremy Lamb had an interesting career at UConn. In his two years in college, he helped the Huskies win a national championship.

The 6'5" shooting guard could be a pick that makes a lot of sense for the Sixers. If the Sixers were to move Andre Iguodala, they could move Evan Turner to his natural position of small forward.

There is a lot to like about Lamb, but he is a pick with some risk involved. SB Nation's Rodger Sherman states that Lamb has been criticized for having a demeanor that is "too laid back" on the court.

Lamb can score the basketball, and that's something this Sixers team desperately needs. There is a chance he will be available at No. 15, and the Sixers would be smart to take him.

Arnett Moultrie

Arnett Moultrie is a very intriguing player from Mississippi State. The 6'11" big man is far from a polished prospect, but the team that drafts him could be getting a very solid starter for years to come.

At 233 pounds, he will definitely need to put on weight at the professional level. He will also need to improve his free-throw shooting to be a legitimate starter.

Moultrie is a gifted athlete with a high motor. The Sixers need players with size that can play defense. Moultrie fills both of those needs and still has time to develop a quality offensive game. It's very likely he will be available at No. 15. 

Andrew Nicholson

Andrew Nicholson is a player skyrocketing up draft boards. The former Bonnies star performed very well throughout the NCAA tournament and at the NBA draft combine.

At just about 6'10", he would give the Sixers some much-needed height. He is a power forward but is capable of playing center as well.

He averaged over 18 PPG his junior and senior year at St. Bonaventure. He has a lot that he could improve about his game, and he might be a bit of a reach at No. 15.

If the Sixers do draft by need, Nicholson very well could be the pick come Thursday night.

Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger is another interesting big man prospect. In his two years at Ohio State, he was an extremely productive player both offensively and defensively.

However, there are concerns about Sullinger's health. ESPN's Chad Ford reported that NBA doctors have expressed serious concern over his history of back injuries.

Ford writes:

"

A number of NBA team doctors have reviewed the information from the NBA and have told their front office staff that Sullinger's back issues could shorten his NBA career, and some have advised their teams not to draft him in the first round.

"

Certainly, these are concerning reports. However, Sullinger is a two-time All-American. The team that drafts Sullinger could be getting an absolute steal.

It's very likely that the concerns over Sullinger's back will drop him out of the top 10 players drafted. If he is available, and healthy, the Sixers could find a very talented big man falling into their lap.

Terrence Ross

Terrence Ross is another shooting guard that the Sixers could potentially target. He's 6'7" and almost 200 pounds.

He doubled his PPG from his freshman to sophomore year in college. He still has a long way to develop a serious game at the NBA level.

He's a player, like Lamb, who would fill a need for the Sixers. At No. 15, it wouldn't be a terrible value either. If Iguodala gets traded, he would step in and become an instant starter.

Fab Melo

Players like Fab Melo are very hard to find in today's game. He's an old-school big man, but there are lots of questions that surround his past at Syracuse.

Melo received an academic suspension during the 2012 NCAA Tournament. He is Brazilian, and according to a story by USA Today, he says he "until four years ago didn't even speak English."

Melo is not a spectacular athlete and thus, his upside is limited. He would be very risky pick for the Sixers considering his questionable past. The 7'0" center would fill a serious need for the Sixers but probably isn't the best value at No. 15.

With the 15th Selection in the 2012 NBA Draft....

The pick for the Sixers is Terrence Jones, small forward from Kentucky.

He isn't the flashiest pick considering the amount of 3s on the roster. He is a player that could turn out to be a steady starter, but a superstar he is not. If the Sixers trade Iguodala or Turner, he could be a decent fit.

Regardless, the Sixers seem to love this type of player. It seems like they draft a player with the exact same style every year. Terrence Jones will be a Philadelphia 76er.