2012 NBA Mock Draft: How Bold Moves Will Shape Entire First Round
The Charlotte Bobcats have dominated NBA draft talk over the last several days.
Nobody's interested in the Hornets anymore. Everyone knows what they're doing. But what the Bobcats plan to do with their No. 2 overall selection is far more intriguing. With a number of trade offers likely to be on the table before everything goes down on Thursday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), the pick is unlikely to be in Charlotte's hands by the time its name is on the clock.
But the question is, who will have the pick?
Without further ado, here's a complete first-round mock with a special look at some bold moves that could shake things up.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
The least bold of all moves. Davis is going to the Hornets, and though it will be far from suspenseful to hear his name called, it'll be interesting to see whom the Hornets choose to support their new franchise cornerstone.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (Mock Trade with Charlotte): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
The question isn't whether or not the Bobcats will trade this pick to Cleveland for both of its first-round picks; the question is whether or not they should, and if no explosive offer comes around before Thursday, this is the one they should go with.
The Cavs, plain and simple, need Beal. Lots of pundits are starting to cry "bust" with regards to him, but he's the best shooter on the board, he's versatile, he's a good size for an NBA 2 and he has the swagger necessary to be a star—but with the goods to back it up (unlike someone else on this board). The biggest piece Cleveland needs to get out of this first round is a stellar shooter to complement Kyrie Irving, and this is their guy.
It's worth sacrificing the No. 24 pick for Beal, and it's far too risky to wait and see if he's still around at No. 4. Cleveland needs to get this pick, one way or another, even if it means giving up one of their second-round picks as well.
3. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
The Wizards seem fixated on MKG, and for good reason. He's one of the most athletic and NBA-ready prospects on this board, and if they're not going with Thomas Robinson, this is the only move that makes sense for the Wizards.
4. Charlotte Bobcats (Mock Trade with Cleveland): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Robinson is the player that makes the most sense for the Bobcats, and he's unlikely to get snatched up before the fourth pick rolls around. That renders this a trade worth making for Charlotte.
To me, Robinson seems like more of a sure thing than anyone else on the board (except, of course, Davis). He has the right build at 6'9" and 237 pounds, he has the kind of explosive athleticism that blows some of the other power forwards in this first round out of the water, and like Beal, he has that winning X-factor. Take what he did in this year's NCAA tournament. He's the reason Kansas reached the championship game, and if Charlotte surrounds him with talent (a big if), he can kick-start a winning culture. Very far down the line.
Charlotte needs to make this trade, though, because it needs more than one player out of this first round. It needs lots of young, athletic pieces to make this team work, and Robinson is only the first one.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
For a while, Barnes lingered in the top four of this draft, but he's still a little bit too much of a question mark to go before Robinson or MKG. He couldn't dominate without Kendall Marshall this year, which served as a warning sign.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, C, UConn
Portland's biggest need in this draft is size, and if Drummond is still on the board (which he will be), the Trail Blazers will just have to pull the trigger on him. He has so much upside that he's impossible to ignore, but he truly looks a lot like another UConn big-man bust.
7. Golden State Warriors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
This move really screws over the Raptors, but it's one the Warriors need to make in light of the recent developments concerning Jared Sullinger's back.
Lillard, plain and simple, is one of the best shooters in this draft. He can score from anywhere, and he can score in abundance. It's true that his ball-handling skills need some work before they're up to snuff at the next level, but in terms of pure shooting talent, there's arguably no one on this board who has more of it than Lillard.
Coupled with the fact that he's an Oakland native, it's hard to believe the Warriors are going to pass on him if he's still available. It Stephen Curry ever gets healthy, maybe he and Lillard could be a nice tandem.
8. Toronto Raptors: Dion Waiters, PG/SG, Syracuse
With Lillard gone, the Raptors are forced to look to Waiters, which could end up paying off. Waiters is definitely one of the most versatile backcourt prospects available, but that comes with a price—he's not completely dominant at either the 1 or the 2.
9. Detroit Pistons: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
I don't know if the Pistons take a risk on Sullinger here or if they stick with a safer post prospect in Jones, but I'm going with the latter. Jones has an incredible amount of potential, and his build is so perfect for becoming a serious defensive threat.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Kendall Marshall, PG, UNC
The Hornets need an excellent distributor to go with their No. 1 overall selection. Marshall is a terrific option, despite the fact that he's Rondo-esque in terms of his shooting abilities, meaning that they aren't that good. Purely in terms of floor vision and passing skills, though, he's the best.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Lamb might be the best option Portland has here, despite the fact that he has yet to show he can dominate with consistency. This is a team that needs a backcourt prospect who is capable of putting up big offensive numbers, and Lamb is the Trail Blazers' best shot.
12. Houston Rockets: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
I don't think Sullinger could fall farther than this, back issues aside. This is someone who could've been a top-five pick, and the Rockets recognize that. They'll take a chance on Sullinger based on his toughness and his defense.
13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
There aren't a lot of players who make as much sense for Phoenix as Ross. He's a lights-out shooter who will give them an offensive boost in the wake of Steve Nash's likely departure.
14. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
The Bucks would love it if Henson fell to them at No. 14 after trading the 12th pick to Houston. He's long and lean, and if he gets stronger (which, in all likelihood, he will), he'll be dominant defensively.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
Jones is almost certainly going to be a hit-or-miss player, but the Sixers could really use someone with his versatility and his offensive potential. His style would fit in nicely on a young, scrappy Sixers team.
16. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Assuming they're not getting Dwight Howard, the Rockets still need to pick up a center in this first round, even after getting some frontcourt help from Henson. Though he still needs work physically, Zeller runs the court well, is very athletic and is the best remaining option.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
And assuming the Mavericks aren't getting Deron Williams, they need to start thinking about backcourt prospects of the future. Rivers is someone that could—could—develop into a star, as long as he decides he's going to start passing more and playing defense.
18. Houston Rockets: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
The Rockets continue stockpiling and go with Moultrie, probably the best overall player left on the board, who could end up paying off big. He has NBA size and is super athletic, and though he's rather unproven, he's a big guy who can shoot.
19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
The Magic will pick up Leonard regardless of what they plan to do with Dwight Howard. They're going to need to start developing young post players, and Meyers—given his raw talent and his size—is a good option for them.
20. Denver Nuggets: Tony Wroten Jr., PG, Washington
Wroten kind of plays like one of those point guards who thinks he's way better than he is. While he can be a good shooter and a good distributor, he's also inconsistent and can be reckless. If the Nuggets can rein him in, though, they'll win with this pick.
21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
With Zeller and Leonard both gone, the Celtics will have to go with Melo, who is far from ready—and honestly may never be ready—but could end up being a defensive monster up front if he ever decides to get serious.
22. Boston Celtics: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
When you look at the shooters remaining on this board, Taylor's one of the best. In addition to help up front, the Celtics need a lethal shooter off the bench, and Taylor fills that need perfectly.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless could be a sleeper in this draft, and if he falls out of the top 20, the Hawks will take a chance on him. He's young, but he has good size, he can score in transition and he projects to be solid defensively.
24. Charlotte Bobcats (Mock Trade with Cleveland): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
The Bobcats might end up with a pretty legitimate frontcourt if they get Miller here and Robinson with their top-five pick. Miller still has to prove he's the same athlete he was before injuring his ACL, but his size and his offensive potential make him impossible to ignore.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Royce White, SF, Iowa State
It's a given that White needs the right coach in order to succeed, given his anxiety disorder, but the Grizzlies are a young, talented team that could provide a good environment for him to thrive.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Even if George Hill does end up staying in Indiana, Teague could be a great option to develop behind him. He's a great ball-handler and a smart player who is already very poised, despite being young.
27. Miami Heat: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Though he's a bit undersized, Jenkins is one of the better shooters left in this pool and gives the Heat a good bench option.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Defensively, Nicholson still needs to learn how to use that 6'10" frame to his advantage, but given his size and his 7'4" wingspan, the Thunder would be fools if they didn't take him.
29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Lamb is another prospect who has the potential to be one of the big steals in this group. Overall, he's one of the most proficient shooters from long range and could provide Chicago with a nice burst of offense off the bench.
30. Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State
Green is one of the older players in this lot and is undersized at 6'6", but he's smart, he's gritty defensively and he can be a lights-out shooter.
