2012 NBA Mock Draft: How Top-Shelf Talent Will Impact First Round
Draft day has finally arrived. After months of preparation and discussion, every team should have a pretty good idea of the direction it wants to go. It's not a draft class that will go down in the history books, but there's still plenty of talent available.
As always, the draft will come down to each franchise's approach. Some front offices will simply select the best player available while others attempt to fill a need. Either way, every team involved just wants to avoid investing in a bust.
Here's a full mock draft of the opening round, which features lottery picks that have some question marks, but are still likely to get selected early.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
Often times a debate ensues during the months leading up to the draft about which player should go first. Not this year. Davis is the clear No. 1 and will help the Hornets rebuild.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Robinson has established himself as a well-rounded player with the potential to improve in just about every area thanks to his athleticism. That makes him a safe pick for Charlotte.
3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
After steadily moving up draft boards since the beginning of the year, Beal should now be safely inside the top five. He's the type of player who can be the cornerstone of an offense.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Let's hope that getting drafted by the Cavaliers won't lead to many LeBron James comparisons, which would only increase the pressure that comes with being a high pick. Kidd-Gilchrist isn't nearly as complete a player or as polished as James was when he came into the league.
That said, the Kentucky star would be a perfect fit for Cleveland. He has the size and strength to guard the league's top scorers and loves to get out on the fast break to make plays. That's a combination that should make him an instant success.
He will eventually need to develop a mid-range game to keep defenses honest, but that's only a minor flaw and can be improved over time. Again, he's not a once-in-a-lifetime franchise-changer. He's just a really good prospect who belongs in the top five.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Since he played at North Carolina, Barnes' game has been over-analyzed to the point where his numerous positive traits are overshadowed by a few negatives. He'll be a star.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
If Drummond reaches his sky-high potential, he will provide great value to the Trail Blazers. He has a much longer road to get to that point than Davis or Robinson, though.
7. Golden State Warriors: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
It's hard to get a good read on Henson's draft stock. The North Carolina star clearly has the potential to become a major piece of a team, especially on the defensive end. However, he also has some flaws that will force teams to have caution.
The most notable one being a lack of power in the post. He's a hard-nosed player caught in a finesse player's body due to that lack of strength. And adding more strength is always easier said than done. He also doesn't have much versatility on the offensive end.
His downside is still outweighed by his upside by a wide margin. He should have no problem blocking a couple shots per game and also has shown good rebounding ability. He's certainly worth taking for Golden State at No. 7, but he's not a sure thing.
8. Toronto Raptors: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
Every team looking to revamp its roster like Toronto should target either a point guard or true post player early in the process. The multidimensional Lillard is a great option.
9. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
While Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe give the Pistons a solid base, they still have several needs to fill. Ross has all the tools to become a prototypical swingman at the next level.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
The Hornets could opt for another big man here to pair with Anthony Davis in the post. But taking a perimeter scorer would be a better choice. Lamb fills the bill after starring at UConn.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
When it comes to Rivers, the key will be separating the facts from the hype that followed him throughout his one season at Duke. Yes, he's an elite scorer with the ability to create his own shot, but what else can he do?
His defensive effort was subpar for most of his time with the Blue Devils and he was prone to poor decisions when asked to carry the load on offense. Those are the types of flaws that often make a difference between living up to the hype and falling short.
With Rivers, it basically comes down to the value of a potentially elite scorer. Although they don't come around often, if he gives it all back on the other end, it's a moot point. Portland seems like a good fit. Anything inside the top 10 would be a big risk.
12. Houston Rockets: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
In college football recruiting terms, they would call Jones an athlete. He doesn't have a definite position and his skills are a little bit raw, but his athletic ability will get him drafted high.
13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Phoenix will likely have a hole to fill with Steve Nash testing the free-agent waters. Marshall has proven he knows how to run an offense and would be the ideal replacement.
14. Milwaukee Bucks: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
There were brief moments during Leonard's time in college when he looked like a future NBA star. He will need to work on his inside moves and consistency to make that happen.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Tyler Zeller, PF, North Carolina
The 76ers are one of the teams that can go literally any direction with their pick. A team can never have enough frontcourt depth in today's NBA, so taking Zeller would be a wise move.
16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Having moved Chase Budinger, the Rockets suddenly have a void to fill at small forward. Jones was a key piece of the national championship team at Kentucky and would fit right in.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger seems like a good player to start alongside Dirk Nowitzki. While the perennial All-Star stretches the defense, Sullinger can control the paint. He should be ready to make an immediate impact.
18. Houston Rockets: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
Even though some lists have Waiters listed inside the top 10, it would be a reach to take him that high. He can score, but improvement is needed in several other areas of his game.
19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Although he is underrated and never will be an elite player, Moultrie should have a long, successful career in the league. He has a really nice game already.
20. Denver Nuggets: Royce White, SF, Iowa State
White has suddenly become a hot commodity over the past month as teams have started to recognize his tremendous upside. It's going to take some patience to endure his growing pains, though.
21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
The Celtics are in desperate need of some depth up front. All the players left on the board at this point have some flaws, but Melo should make his presence felt on defense on Day 1.
22. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
Aside from having good size, Nicholson and Melo don't have a lot in common and that's a good thing. Nicholson can stretch the floor and deserves more credit for his improved defending.
23. Atlanta Hawks: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
Although Teague would have benefited from another year in college, his teammates' mass exodus didn't leave him much choice. The tools are there, so it's just going to become a waiting game as he develops.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Even though the Cavaliers drafted a small forward earlier in the mock, I don't think they could pass on Harkless if he's still available. It would give them some intriguing lineup options.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Jenkins has a chance to be one of the biggest surprises of Round 1. All it will take is one team falling in love with his dynamic scoring ability instead of harping on his flaws.
26. Indiana Pacers: Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Indiana's deep roster will allow the team to take a chance with this selection. If Wroten fixes his jump shot, he'll be a massive steal. He's certainly worth taking a flier on at this point.
27. Miami Heat: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
The Heat could really use another big man, but there isn't one that can match the potential of Taylor. He will learn a lot playing behind LeBron James and that should help him grow as a player.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Will Barton, SG, Memphis
Barton has made a late charge to put himself on the first-round fringe. The scoring ability is there, but he needs to bulk up to survive the wear and tear of an NBA season.
29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Another scoring guard who will need to add more dimensions to his game, Lamb will struggle to defend at the next level. That said, he would be a nice weapon to have off the bench.
30. Golden State Warriors: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
There's a lot to like about Miller. His good size gives him a chance to become a solid defender once he gets out of a Baylor system that doesn't emphasize it. Worth a chance for the Warriors.
