2012 NBA Mock Draft: Latest Landing Spots for Most Buzzed-About Stars
The best holiday of the year is almost here.
No, I'm not talking about Thanksgiving or Christmas or that one where we celebrate our nation's independence by getting drunk and blowing things up.
I'm talking, of course, about the 2012 NBA Draft. Draft day is right around the corner (Thursday, June 28), and what better way to celebrate than by unveiling an updated NBA mock draft?
There has already been one pick traded this week, and with a few teams in the lottery trying to move out, the whole board could get shaken up in the next few days.
So, don't be surprised if this mock gets completely obliterated by the time Thursday's draft rolls around. Still, it's always fun to speculate, so let's give it a go.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF/C, Kentucky
Anthony Davis could punch Hornets coach Monty Williams in the face, post a viral video of himself dunking puppies through the hoop and burn down one of Tom Benson's houses, and he'd still be the No. 1 pick on Thursday.
Davis is the complete package: big, athletic, versatile, smart and highly competitive. This kid will be a top-five NBA player within a few years.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Bobcats are actively shopping this pick, which is smart, because one prospect (other than Davis) won't rescue them from last season's 7-59 nightmare.
I would personally like to see them trade it to Cleveland in exchange for the Cavaliers' two first-round picks (fourth and 24th). That way they can add a talented player—either Thomas Robinson or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would be available—plus pick up another solid contributor late in the first round.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Beal has all the tools to be the best player in this draft.
He's got a powerful build, explosive leaping ability and his jump shot is simply gorgeous. He's often compared to Ray Allen, and although I'm a little hesitant to go that far, I do think he's a slightly better version of Eric Gordon.
Beal is a better defender than Gordon, and if he can avoid EG's injury history, he will be the NBA's best shooting guard in a few years.
Of course, if the Cavs-Bobcats trade goes down, the Wizards will be out of luck.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
ESPN's Chad Ford has Harrison Barnes going here, but I think Kidd-Gilchrist is the much better option.
He's a freak athlete with a relentless motor. He's hyper-competitive, an elite defender, does all the little things to help his team win and plays his best basketball when the stakes are at their highest.
In short, he's the complete opposite of Barnes.
He's not a strong outside shooter and his ball-handling needs work, but those are fixable problems. Heart, poise and pure athleticism are not things that can be easily improved.
I think Barnes will be a quality NBA player, but Kidd-Gilchrist is the type of prospect who will elevate a team from the lottery to the playoffs and from the playoffs to championship contention. Pair him with Kyrie Irving, and the Cavaliers will be one of the East's best teams in two or three years.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
According to Jonathan Givony of Draft Express, the Kings may be sending this pick to Houston as part of a blockbuster trade.
"Sources say Houston has an offer of Lowry, the #14 and #16 picks for TyrekeEvans and the #5 pick on the table. Up to Sacramento to decide.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 26, 2012"
If they hold onto the pick, Barnes would probably be the best option.
Like I mentioned above, Barnes isn't an elite athlete, a top-notch defender or a player who shines on the big stage.
He won't impact the game in multiple ways, and when his jumpshot isn't falling, he's a complete non-factor. For evidence of that, look no further than his last two collegiate games, when he shot a combined 8-for-30 from the field and 2-for-14 on threes in UNC's narrow win against 13th-seeded Ohio and their blowout loss against Kansas.
That being said, the kid is (usually) one hell of a shooter, and he'll be a quality perimeter threat in the league. He'd be a perfect fit in Sacramento.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
The Blazers need a point guard and a center, and although it would be tough to pass on Andre Drummond here, I think they'll address their backcourt needs.
Lillard is a pure scorer (24.5 points per game last season), but he can dish the rock as well. He only averaged 4.0 assists last year at Weber State, but when you're leaps and bounds ahead of your competition, it makes sense to just keep shooting.
Look for his passing numbers to improve when he gets to the next level.
7. Golden State Warriors: Andre Drummond, C, UConn
The Warriors desperately need a small forward, but with MKG and Barnes off the board, I don't think they'll reach for one here.
Instead, they should go with Drummond. The dude is massive (7'0", 280 pounds, 7'6" wingspan), and with some proper guidance, he could be the next Dwight Howard.
He's very raw offensively, and his work ethic is questionable at times, but the potential reward is well worth the risk at this point in the draft.
8. Toronto Raptors: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
The Raptors offense was downright hideous last season, and Waiters would provide an immediate boost. He can get to the rim at will, and with his NBA-ready body, he should contribute right away.
Toronto already has DeMar DeRozan, but they can slide him over to the 3 if necessary. Add in Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas, who will be coming from overseas this season, and the Raptors would suddenly have a promising young core.
9. Detroit Pistons: Meyers Leonard, C, Illionis
Leonard is a bouncy 7-footer who runs the floor well and has good balance. He would be the perfect complement to Greg Monroe on the interior, and with some good coaching, he could be the best shot-blocker in the NBA one day.
10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
New Orleans needs help in the backcourt, and with recent reports saying they will match any deal for restricted free agent Eric Gordon, they will likely address their point guard situation here.
After Lillard, Marshall is the best available. He's not a great shooter and he struggles on defense, but with Gordon to pass to offensively and Anthony Davis bailing him out defensively, neither weakness should be an issue.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
The Blazers need a center, and with Drummond and Leonard off the board, Zeller is the best available.
He'll never be a star, or anything close to it, but he fills a need and he's ready to play right now. He's a big body, he runs the floor well, he has a high basketball I.Q. and he should be a menace in pick-and-roll situations.
I also wouldn't be surprised to see Portland trade this pick.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF/C, North Carolina
With Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, the Bucks will be able to put some points on the board next season. Now, they just need someone who can actually play defense.
Henson is rail-thin, but with his 7'5" wingpsan and exceptional timing, he will instantly be one of the league's top shot-blockers. He's also a good rebounder (10.1 per game last season) and is a perfect target for alley-oops, both in the fast break and the half court set.
13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
The Suns definitely need help on the perimeter, but with Ross, Rivers and Lamb all on the board, they would have one very difficult decision to make.
I give the nod to Ross because of his size (6'6"), precision from long-range (37.1 percent on threes last season) and ridiculous athleticism (peep the video above).
14. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Rockets GM Daryl Morey is cooking up something special behind the scenes in Houston, and I honestly have no idea what he'll do.
If they still have this pick come draft time, Lamb would be a great fit. He's a pure scorer with a ridiculously long wingspan that allows him to shoot over taller defenders and play the passing lanes.
I'd be surprised if they're still sitting here on draft day, though.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor
Perry Jones III scares the hell out of teams.
With his physical gifts, he could average 25 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks per game with ease. Unfortunately, his effort wavers from game to game, and often from play to play.
At No. 15, he's well worth the risk, though.
16. Houston Rockets (from New York): Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Obviously, the Rockets won't draft Rivers if they select Lamb at 14, but I'm assuming they won't have either of these picks on draft day.
Rivers is another polarizing prospect, because his swagger doesn't always match up to his substance. He's modeled his game after Kobe Bryant, and while this is good in some regards, Rivers is no Kobe.
He will be a quality NBA player, but I doubt he'll be a perennial All-Star.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C Mississippi State
The Mavs need a defensive presence in the paint, which became painfully clear when Tyson Chandler skipped town.
Moutrie didn't block a lot of shots last season, but with his height (6'11"), wingspan (7'2") and explosive vertical jump (37.5 inches), he could be a beast on the defensive end. Throw in his solid offensive abilities and constant activity on the glass, and Moultrie would be the perfect complement to Dirk Nowitzki.
18. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
Once again, there's no telling what those tricky Rockets will do.
Regardless of who's picking here, though, Jones should be the option if he's still on the board. He's got Amar'e Stoudemire-type potential, and he will be an absolute steal this late in the draft.
19. Orlando Magic: Jared Sullinger, PF/C, Ohio State
Sullinger has been medically red-flagged because of his back, but I still think he'll be a solid contributor in this league.
He's got a great offensive skill set, he's a productive rebounder and he should be highly motivated after watching his draft stock plummet.
As far as Dwight Howard replacements go, the Magic could do a lot worse.
20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
The Nuggets don't have any glaring needs, so they'll likely take the best player available. That's definitely Harkless at this point.
The St. John's product is a Shawn Marion-type player, with long arms, good athleticism and the ability to finish at the rim over larger defenders.
21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
Kevin Garnett may be leaving Boston, so the Celtics will need another interior presence on defense.
Even if KG stays, Melo would be a good option. He's definitely a project, but with the guidance of Garnett and Doc Rivers, Melo could be a defensive force.
22. Boston Celtics (from LAC): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
Miller has good size (6'9''), long arms (7'1" wingspan) and elite athleticism. He would be the ideal long-term replacement for Paul Pierce.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington
I think Wroten is worthy of a lottery pick, so the Hawks would be thrilled to get him here. He's a big, explosive point guard who can get to the bucket whenever he wants.
If he ever improves his hideous jump shot, he will make multiple All-Star teams.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from LAL): Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
If the Cavaliers and Bobcats swap lottery picks, then Charlotte will likely be picking here.
If Cleveland stays put, though, Lamb would be a solid addition. The Cavaliers desperately need help on the perimeter and Lamb is an assassin from behind the three-point line, hitting 46.6 of his shots from beyond the arc last season.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, SF, Iowa State
Rudy Gay is often the subject of trade rumors, and if the Grizzlies do decide to deal him, White would be a cheap and effective replacement.
White is a unique player, as he's basically a point guard trapped inside a small forward's body. He's an excellent passer and rebounder, and although he's not much of a scorer, he could end up being the biggest steal of this draft.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
I'm not in love with Darren Collison and George Hill, and while Teague probably should have stayed in college for another year, he's got a higher ceiling than both of them.
With all the shakeups going on in the Pacers' front office, it will be interesting to see what they do.
27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
The Heat's versatility is already their most dangerous weapon. If they add Green, they will have infinite lineup possibilities.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Nicholson would be the perfect addition for Oklahoma City. He reminds me of David West with his pick-and-pop abilities and high basketball I.Q.
He's not an explosive athlete, but he will a quality player in this league for a long time.
29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG, Memphis
Father Time is catching up to Rip Hamilton and Derrick Rose will miss a large chunk of the season, so Chicago would be wise to add some firepower in the backcourt.
Barton is a long, athletic 2-guard with good range. He'd be a great pickup at this point in the draft.
30. Golden State Warriors: Kyle O'Quinn, PF/C, Norfolk State
O'Quinn is an athletic big man with good size (6'10", 240 pounds) and long arms (7'5" wingspan). He averaged a double-double in his last two college seasons, and in a few years, I think he can do the same in the NBA.
I also have the Warriors taking Drummond at No. 7, but you can never have enough quality post players in this league.
