2012 NBA Mock Draft: Serious Decisions Every Team Must Make
While every team has a clear gameplan heading into Thursday's NBA draft, it doesn't mean that decisions will be easy to make. The New Orleans Hornets will have it pretty easy with the first pick, as Kentucky forward Anthony Davis clearly the right selection, but they also have the No. 10 pick, so it won't be an easy night for the Hornets or any of the league's 30 teams.
The NBA draft is an exciting event for every franchise, but it is a nerve-wracking one as well. Hitting on a selection can set a team up for success for years to come, but taking a bust can be equally as damaging. Teams are going to be deciding between potential studs and potential duds throughout the night, and that is part of what makes the draft so intriguing.
In addition to a full, first-round mock draft, here is some analysis on the most difficult decisions that every team will have to make during the 2012 NBA draft.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, F (Kentucky)
If there is one decision that isn't particularly difficult, it is this one, as Davis is the consensus and top player and figures to be the Hornets' anchor moving forward.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, F (Kansas)
You can't help but feel bad for the Charlotte Bobcats. They endured one of the worst seasons in recent memory, but at least they were in line for the consolation prize of getting the draft's top pick and selecting Anthony Davis. That didn't come to fruition, though, as the Hornets leapfrogged them in the lottery and knocked the Bobcats down to No. 2. Now, Charlotte must decide whether it should trade down or who it should pick if it stays.
There have been tons of rumors regarding teams wanting to jump up to No. 2, most notably the Cleveland Cavaliers, who may want to select Florida guard Bradley Beal. It is a very difficult decision for the Bobcats, and it depends a lot on who they are interested in. My guess is that Charlotte wants Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson since he is considered a consensus top-three player in the draft and fills an area of need.
With that in mind, the Bobcats can afford to trade down. Since the Washington Wizards traded for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza and have Jan Vesely waiting in the wings, they probably won't want another forward. If the Bobcats are worried about Washington sniping them, though, then perhaps they will stand pat. It all comes down to what Cleveland would offer in a deal, but I believe it would be wise for Charlotte to trade down at this point.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, G (Florida)
This pick is obviously contingent on the situation between the Bobcats and Cavs, but if everyone stays in their current spot, then the Wizards ought to get John Wall a dynamic partner in Beal.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, F (North Carolina)
After the Wizards' trade for Okafor and Ariza, the Cavs are now in a tough spot because it puts them in danger of not getting the player they truly want. Most of the buzz surrounding Cleveland for the past several weeks has involved the Cavaliers wanting Beal to pair with Kyrie Irving. If things stay as they currently are, however, Washington is likely to take Beal at No. 3 since he is the best fit for the Wiz among the top prospects.
Provided Cleveland wants Beal as badly as has been speculated, there appears to be a trade route to No. 2 with the Bobcats. The Cavaliers would probably have to give up the No. 4 pick and No. 24 pick to do that, but it would be well worth it if Beal is their man. I would be shocked if the Wizards didn't take Beal at No. 3 if things stand pat because all of the other top players are bigs and Washington doesn't really need one.
There has also been some talk that the Cavs like North Carolina forward Harrison Barnes. It's possible that this could just be a smokescreen to deflect other teams away from Beal, so there is no telling if Cleveland's interest is genuine. Barnes is a very talented scorer, but I would be very wary of taking him in the top five. He fell apart without point guard Kendall Marshall in the NCAA Tournament and is far too complacent at times. It may cost a lot, but the Cavaliers' best move would be trading up to No. 2 and grabbing Beal.
5. Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, F (Kentucky)
I wouldn't say that the Kings desperately need Kidd-Gilchrist, but he figures to be the best player available at No. 5 and will only slip that far based on circumstance, not his talent level.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn): Andre Drummond, C (Connecticut)
The Blazers desperately need a true center to play next to LaMarcus Aldridge, and it just so happens that they are lucky enough to have Drummond fall into their laps at No. 6.
7. Golden State Warriors: Damian Lillard, G (Weber State)
After trading Monta Ellis to the Bucks last season, the Warriors could use an offensive combo guard to pair with Stephen Curry, and Lillard fits the bill quite well.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, G (Connecticut)
The Raptors are in a pretty unfortunate spot in this draft since all of the top-level talent will be gone, but taking Lamb would be safe and smart since he can add to Toronto's attack with his great shooting.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, F (Baylor)
Jones has enough talent to be a top-five pick, but his inconsistent performances drop him to this spot; however, the Pistons won't be able to pass on him and his supreme athletic ability.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via MIN): Kendall Marshall, G (North Carolina)
The Hornets will already have Davis in their back pocket at this point, so they can go ahead and fill the void created by trading Chris Paul as they take the draft's best pure point guard in Marshall.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, G (Duke)
Portland's backcourt is a bit of a mess since neither Raymond Felton nor Jamal Crawford worked out very well, but taking a talented combo guard in Rivers could turn things around.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C (Illinois)
The Bucks have a very obvious hole at center after trading Andrew Bogut to the Warriors, and although he is clearly a developmental prospect, perhaps Leonard can grow into the spot over time.
13. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters, G (Syracuse)
It has been widely reported that the Suns made a promise to Waiters that they would pick him if he were available at No. 13, and it makes a lot of sense with point guard Steve Nash on the way out.
14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, F/C (North Carolina)
The Houston Rockets are in a very interesting spot in this draft, as they now have three picks in the first round. Houston already held the No. 14 and No. 16 picks, but it also acquired No. 18 from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for swingman Chase Budinger. It is unclear what the Rockets are going to do at this point, but they would seem to have three very distinct options.
They could keep all of the picks and attempt to build some added depth, they could package them to move up in the draft or they could package them in a deal for a player or players. Standing pat wouldn't be a great move because the odds of Houston getting an immediate-impact player with one of those picks are pretty low. Trading up would be intriguing, but it is unclear how high the Rockets could ascend if they package all of their picks.
I believe that the best option would be putting together an offer for Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. There has been some speculation that the Rockets dealt Budinger in order to build up some assets in anticipation of an offer for Howard. There is no guarantee that the Rockets can make it happen, but if they can, then they should go for it because Howard will make a much bigger splash than any player they could conceivably get in this draft. Failing that, though, Tyler Zeller would be the pick in order to fill the void at center.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: John Henson, F (North Carolina)
The Sixers have some glaring holes on the interior, and although they will have several options at No. 15, Henson would be the best pick thanks to his length and athleticism.
16. Houston Rockets (via New York): Terrence Jones, F (Kentucky)
Provided Houston sticks with its three first-round picks, Jones would be a nice get in this spot since he can defend three positions and be a tough rebounder off the bench.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Arnett Moultrie, F (Mississippi State)
The Mavs are an aging team in need of a youth infusion, and while they could use some help at nearly every position, they'll get an athletic big in Moultrie to pair with Dirk Nowitzki.
18. Houston Rockets (from Minnesota, via Utah): Marquis Teague, G (Kentucky)
Point guard Kyle Lowry seems to be on the outs in Houston, so if the Rockets keep this pick as well, then they should go with a potential replacement in Teague.
19. Orlando Magic: Doron Lamb, G (Kentucky)
Whether the Magic keep Dwight Howard, trade him to Houston or trade him elsewhere, they need some outside scoring, and Lamb promises to provide that.
20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, F, (St. John's)
The Nuggets have a ton of depth, but could always use some more, and taking a guy like Harkless would give them a great athlete and potential defensive stopper off the bench.
21. Boston Celtics: Terrence Ross, G (Washington)
It doesn't seem like there is really any indication of Ray Allen re-signing with the Celtics, so it's time for Boston to move on by selecting Ross.
22. Boston Celtics (via L.A. Clippers): Fab Melo, C (Syracuse)
The Celtics have cycled through some pretty bad options at center since trading Kendrick Perkins, so it's time to solidify the spot by nabbing a defensive stopper in Melo.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Royce White, F (Iowa State)
There isn't a player in this draft with the same skill set as Josh Smith, but White is similar in a lot of ways, so the Hawks should take him as a contingency plan for life after Smith.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via L.A. Lakers): Andrew Nicholson, F (St. Bonaventure)
If the Cavs stand pat at No. 4 and hold onto this pick as well, then Nicholson would be a really nice choice, as he can take the place of Antawn Jamison as an effective shooting big.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, G (Washington)
The Grizzlies need to add a little explosion to the roster as they are a bit too deliberate and plodding at times, and the electric Wroten would certainly fit the bill in that regard.
26. Indiana Pacers: Jared Sullinger, F/C (Ohio State)
Indiana had some success with an undersized forward in Tyler Hansbrough, so I can see the Pacers doing something similar with Sullinger and adding to their front-court depth.
27. Miami Heat: Festus Ezeli, C (Vanderbilt)
Miami has it all and doesn't really need much, but it is obvious that center is a bit of a weak link, so the Heat should select Ezeli at this point and bring him along as a developmental guy.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Draymond Green, F (Michigan State)
The Thunder would really benefit from a guy like Green because he is a leader and an unselfish player who will be fine with deferring to Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
29. Chicago Bulls: John Jenkins, G (Vanderbilt)
Chicago continues to roll through mediocre options at shooting guard, but perhaps the draft's best pure shooter in Jenkins could finally solve the Bulls' issues at the position.
30. Golden State Warriors (via San Antonio): Jeffery Taylor, F, (Vanderbilt)
The Warriors don't have to draft any particular position with this pick, but they could use a little help on the wing, and Taylor is a high-upside player that would make sense here.
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