NBA Draft 2012: 1 Player Every Team Should Trade Up to Get

There have been discussions concerning a number of teams with high picks who are willing to trade down and take multiple assets. 

That got us to wondering, who would every team in the NBA take if they were to trade up?

Without worrying about the specifics of the trade, we're just going to focus on the "dream target" of every team. 

Granted, there are some teams who are going to have a rough, if not impossible task of trading up to get the players listed, but if we start worrying about such things, that takes all the fun out of it. 

So, for teams where there's not a realistic option available, we're going to waive our magic wand, bind and gag David Stern so he can't veto any trades and just identify the dream target.

For other teams, we'll discuss a realistic possibility. 

Atlanta Hawks: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The Atlanta Hawks have been committed to Marvin Williams for far too long. It's time to give up on the notion that he's going to end up proving himself—he's not.

He never has, and he never will. 

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has such a great motor and does so many of the little things that he would fit in well with Atlanta. The Hawks have plenty of players who are good enough in their own right, but they have no "glue guy" in their starting lineup, and Kidd-Gilchrist would fit that role to a tee. 

Boston Celtics: Anthony Davis

Don't tell me that there's no way the Hornets trade their first pick. I know this.

Remember, this is a dream scenario, and the magic wand has been waived. 

For the Boston Celtics, what better scenario is there than having the original Kevin Garnett groom the next Kevin Garnett, Anthony Davis?

Not to mention, what kind of interior defense would that be for the Celtics next year if Garnett continued in the 5 spot, and Davis patrolled the power forward position? Teams would be settling for a lot of outside shots, that's for sure. 

Brooklyn Nets: Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond is not the best center or best big man available in the draft, but he might be the best one to pair with Brook Lopez.

Lopez has a lot of talent and a lot of skill, but he's not exactly the kind of big who gets under the rim and pounds away. 

In fact he's one of the worst rebounding big men in the history of the NBA. 

What would work better for the Nets is to have a big man they can combine with Lopez who has the strength to move people out of the way and not get moved out of the way.

Drummond has a true NBA body and would fill that bill. 

Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis

The Charlotte Bobcats are an easy team to figure out who they should trade up to get for one simple reason: There's only one player they can trade up to get.

That's because they have the No. 2 pick already. 

So, the only pick they can trade up to get is the only player taken in front of them, Anthony Davis. Of course, the fact that he's the best player for them helps, too.

The Bobcats already have a promising young guard in Kemba Walker. Combining him with Davis would make for an exciting inside-out tandem. 

Chicago Bulls: Bradley Beal

There are some rumors that the Bulls are trying to trade up to get Harrison Barnes, but what if they got Bradley Beal instead?

The Chicago Bulls have been in a two-year search for a shooting guard. With Bradley Beal a Bull, that would come to a halt.

Is Bradley Beal a Bull believable? Barely, but bringing in Barnes belies belief, too. 

So, why bust the Beal bubble because of believability? Beal and Derrick Rose (once recovered) would make for a ridiculous backcourt tandem.

Plus, you could have fun saying "Bradley Beal a Bull" 10 times fast. 

Cleveland Cavaliers: Bradley Beal

Another team with a great point guard who would be great with Bradley Beal is a team that's actually trying to move up and get him—the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This one is not just a "dream scenario" but also a realistic one. 

Pairing Kyrie Irivng with Beal would be something special. The Cavs already have a pretty solid frontcourt in Anderson Varejao and Tristan Thompson. 

Obviously, they aren't going to win a title before LeBron James, but the Cavs are doing a nice job of rebuilding in the wake of his departure. 

Dallas Mavericks: Damian Lillard

In this one, I'm assuming that Deron Williams is not coming to Dallas. Obviously, if the Mavs get Williams they'll have no need at point guard; on the other hand, if they don't, they need a point guard for the future. 

Jason Kidd is not likely to be a Maverick next year, so the Mavs will need to find someone if it's not Williams.

Lillard is a very nice option because he can both score and pass.

Some want to label him and any point guard as a "shoot-first" point guard because they can't get past an antiquated notion that it's a bad thing if a point guard scores. It's not. I would rather have a point guard who can score or pass than one who can only pass. 

Denver Nuggets: Austin Rivers

The Denver Nuggets are a tougher team to figure out because they are so deep that they don't have any real holes. Perhaps the only hole they have is "that guy," a bona-fide closer.

Enter Austin Rivers. 

Rivers is a player who has weaknesses, but you'd have a hard time convincing him of that. He certainly does not lack one iota in confidence.

That brings up his greatest strength: He shrinks from nothing when the game is on the line. 

In Denver, Rivers wouldn't be expected to or need to do too much, but what he does very well he'd be able to do, and that's carry the team down the stretch. 

Detroit Pistons: Thomas Robinson

I like the idea of Thomas Robinson going to the Pistons. Let Greg Monroe take over as the full-time center, and slot Robinson into the power forward spot. That would give the Pistons a duo under the net that would be among the best frontcourts in the league. 

What appeals to me about a Robinson/Monroe pairing is that they are both excellent two-way players. The two together would form a slightly bigger version of the Utah Jazz frontcourt. 

Golden State Warriors: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The Golden State Warriors have been searching for a small forward for years, and their answer would be Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. 

I simply cannot convey enough how high I am on Gilchrist. He has Kawhi Leonard's motor, Luol Deng's size and Andre Iguodala's athleticism.

He's not "Batman" admittedly, but if you designed a perfect "Robin" you would design Kidd-Gilchrist. 

Sometimes I think it's harder to find a superstar "Robin" than it is a headliner. On the First Take Draft Special, Chad Ford called his ceiling Scottie Pippen. That should give you an idea of how good MKG can be. 

Houston Rockets: Andre Drummond

The Houston Rockets are desperately trying to get a star center, and they're so desperate that they're trying to trade away the entire future of the franchise to do so. 

If I could talk to them I would tell them three words: Don't. Do. It. 

Andre Drummond won't be Dwight Howard, but he will be a very real NBA starter and potentially an All-Star. It's better to have that and a franchise rather than a franchise player with nothing around him. 

Indiana Pacers: Thomas Robinson

The Indiana Pacers have been a much-improved team over the last two years, but the one thing they struggle with is scoring inside. They were second-to-last in field goal percentage at the rim last year and fourth from last in terms of shots made at the rim. 

Robinson is an inside scorer and an explosive athlete. Granted, the Pacers have a power forward in David West, but he didn't give them as much as they were hoping for last year. Perhaps he could be involved in the "magical trade" that would land the Pacers the pick to get Robinson. 

Los Angeles Clippers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The Los Angeles Clippers are a player away from being a true contender.

Caron Butler was a disappointment last year, shooting just .407 and averaging a meager 12.0 points per game. Adding Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to Lob City, though, would be absolutely titanic.

I'm not even a Clippers fan, and a part of me wants to see this happen just for the sheer spectacle of it all. 

Los Angeles Lakers: Bradley Beal

For the Los Angeles Lakers, I'm first assuming that anything they do includes retaining Ramon Sessions so that they won't have a need at point guard.

On the other hand, Kobe Bryant—as great as he is—is not immortal, and the mighty hand of time will catch him sooner or later. It is better for the Lakers to start grooming a replacement for him right now. 

Having a player like Bradley Beal whom Kobe can groom makes a lot of sense for the Lakers. 

Memphis Grizzlies: Harrison Barnes

It's not so much a question of Rudy Gay's ability as it is his game and the way it meshes with Zach Randolph. The Grizzlies don't need so much of an "upgrade" at small forward as they do a lateral move. 

Barnes would be a better fit, as he can score from anywhere on the court and is a high-IQ player who has proven that he knows how to adapt his game to play alongside other offensive talents.

Barnes would make the Grizzles a team that has a more cohesive offense. 

Miami Heat: Anthony Davis

No, this will never happen.

Of course, with my magic wand obtained from the Magical Menagerie, I am able to make it happen. 

Why? Simply put: Why not?

Why not take things to an even more ridiculous level of ridiculousness?

What would be ridiculously frightening about such a move is how well Davis would fit into the existing team. He has the speed and athleticism to run with the Big Three. 

And the defense would be...

Has there ever been a shutout in an NBA game?

Milwaukee Bucks: Thomas Robinson

By obtaining Samuel Dalembert from the Houston Rockets, the Milwaukee Bucks filled one of their biggest needs.

Now, their other biggest need is their other big. 

The nice thing about having Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings in the same backcourt is that they make a lot of shots. The not-so-nice thing is that they also miss a lot of shots.

Enter Thomas Robinson, the best rebounder in the nation last year. 

Robinson is also athletic enough to run the court with Jennings and Ellis, which would make for a very fun team.

As is, after the trade, the Bucks only traded down two spots and could have a realistic chance at Perry Jones. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: John Jenkins

You didn't see that one coming did you?

No, I'm not insane—hear me out first. 

First, I wouldn't suggest that the Timberwolves trade up to a Top-Five pick to get Jenkins. I would just suggest that, since they don't have a first-round pick anymore, they trade into the bottom part of the first round. 

Second, Jenkins was the best pure shooter in college basketball last year. He is a ridiculous shooter; his career effective field goal percentage was .607. 

Jenkins is my pick to be the surprise star of this year's draft, because you don't lose shooting at the next level. Teaming him with Ricky Rubio would alleviate a need for Jenkins to create his own shot. He's a catch-and-shoot player, and Rubio would create the shots for him. 

With Jenkins and Kevin Love stretching the court, that would also open up lanes for Derrick Williams, and the 'Wolves could see him blossom as a player as well. 

New Orleans Hornets: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

I know what you're thinking: How do the Hornets trade up? They already have the top overall pick.

Well, they trade up their 10th pick, that's how. 

And who do they take with that 10th pick? How about adding Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and keeping him partnered with Anthony Davis?

That would give the Hornets an incredible young core of Eric Gordon, Kidd-Gilchrist and Davis to build around. That's quite a trio of youth—perhaps even intriguing enough to lure Deron Williams to New Orleans. 

The scary thing here is it's not implausible. The Hornets could bundle together their No. 10 pick along with one or two of the other young, promising players on their roster and move up five spots. 

New York Knicks: Thomas Robinson

Clearly, the Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony experiment is not working out, no matter how badly Knicks fans would like to believe it is. 

There is just too much overlap in their strengths and weaknesses to form a cohesive unit. The Knicks need a different kind of power forward—one who rebounds and finishes at the rim.

Thomas Robinson is that man. 

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kendall Marshall

There's been a lot of discussion about the idea of moving James Harden to the point and Russell Westbrook to shooting guard.

To my thinking, this just shifts the problem. Harden isn't any more of a pure point guard than Westbrook—it's just easier to act like he is because he's not playing the position.

This is similar to fans who fall in love with a backup quarterback. 

So, here's a thought: Harden's contract is running out, and the Thunder are going to struggle to pay both him and Serge Ibaka anyway, so why not trade Harden to move up in the draft and get a real point guard like Kendall Marshall?

Marshall is a true facilitator, and having to decide who to pass to, Durant or Westbrook, would be a problem on par with trying to figure out whether to date Jessica Alba or Natalie Portman. The Thunder could also be adding another role player in the deal. 

This one doesn't need the magic wand. It could actually work. 

Orlando Magic: Anthony Davis

The Orlando Magic are on the precipice of losing their franchise center. There's no cure for losing a franchise center like getting a franchise center, though.

And Anthony Davis is a franchise center. 

On this, I'd like to point out something that Chad Ford was mentioning on the First Take Draft Special on ESPN. In workouts, Davis was wowing the NBA scouts with his offensive acumen. They left raving about his skills. 

Don't confuse not showing an offensive game on a stacked college team with not having an offensive game; apparently there was even more to Davis than we saw last year. 

There's a word for that everywhere but New Orleans—scary. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Zeller

The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that could use a center who can play in the paint and finish at the rim. They also are a team that has a heavy reliance on their wings and transition game. 

Zeller has the ability to play in the paint, but he also runs the court exceptionally well for a big man. There's a slight chance Zeller could still be available for the Sixers if they don't trade up, but it's worth real consideration for them to do so. 

Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters

This one is a very simple one.

The Phoenix Suns are going to be in need of a point guard with the departure of Steve Nash. Dion Waiters is the best point guard available. The Suns trade up to get a point guard. 

In case that was too complicated:

The Suns need point guard. 

The Suns see point guard. 

The Suns draft point guard. 

Portland Trail Blazers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

If the Portland Trail Blazers had the first overall pick, would they trade out of it? They might be the only team that would even consider it, but with LaMarcus Aldridge already there, Davis would be a bit redundant. 

On the other hand, that would make a fearsome Twin Almost-Towers. 

Anyway, if they were to trade up, I would think that it wouldn't be for Davis. Rather, it would be for a Brandon Roy replacement in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He would be a wing that does everything well.

Sound familiar?

Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The Sacramento Kings might not have to trade up to get the player they should want the most in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

However, if Cleveland (or whoever has the No. 4 pick) starts looking like it may want to take him over Harrison Barnes, they might have to consider what they can do to swap picks. 

I like Kidd-Gilchrist over Barnes for the Kings because of his attitude and motor. He just brings it every night. His energy level is through the roof, and his desire to win is intense. 

They talk about the "rule of five," which stipulates that a positive attitude will have an impact on five players, and a negative attitude will impact five players. 

Imagine DeMarcus Cousins with Kidd-Gilchrist's motor or Marcus Thornton with his selflessness, and you can see a team that vaults into contender status. 

San Antonio Spurs: Jared Sullinger

Jared Sullinger is just the type of player the Spurs frequently turn into gold. He's got all kinds of upside, but there's the one negative about how he doesn't play "above the rim" very well.

You know who else doesn't play "above the rim?"

I'll give you a hint. His name rhymes with Slim Runken. 

Toronto Raptors: Harrison Barnes

For the Toronto Raptors, their biggest need is a small forward, and they can either draft a shooting guard and move DeMar DeRozan to small forward, or they can draft a true small forward.

Personally, I prefer the latter. 

I like Barnes for the Raptors because he does one thing better than Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and that's what the Raptors would be wanting from him—scoring. 

Utah Jazz: Damian Lillard

This one is another one that doesn't need any imagination, as the Utah Jazz are actually trying to work this one and move up to take Damian Lillard. 

With the kind of depth they have in the frontcourt, this is a good move for them. If they had a marginally competent point guard, this team would be right there with the Memphis Grizzlies in terms of young teams working to challenge the Thunder for Western Conference supremacy. 

I'm really looking for Derrick Favors to break out next year, and adding Lillard to the mix would be special. 

Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal

There is no secret what the Washington Wizards want—they want Bradley Beal.

The question is, will he be there when they make their third pick in the draft?

Combined with John Wall, Beal could help make for a fascinating backcourt. I think there's some concern here as far as size goes. The Wizards would have a smallish backcourt, but this is what they want to do. 

There is one thing for certain, though—this team would blister up and down the court.