2012 NBA Mock Draft: Buy or Sell with All 30 1st-Round Selections

We are ever so close to the 2012 NBA draft, nearly 24 hours away.

The Chase Budinger trade from Houston to Minnesota in exchange for the No. 18 pick in the draft, reported by ESPN's Marc Stein and Chad Ford, has already managed to shake things up. This is sure to be the first of many trades that we'll inevitable see on draft day, so the chances the picks remain in their current order are as close to zero as they can be.

With that being said, we can still throw together last-second mock drafts.

Here's a full first-round mock, if all the current picks stay as is, with an Around the Horn style "Buy or Sell" for every first-round pick.

1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF/C, Kentucky

Buy

Anthony Davis will be the first overall pick tomorrow and there are some huge reasons why.

Davis is seen as the only true can't-miss prospect in this year's draft. He's an absolute monster on defense in terms of being a dynamic shot-blocker. However, Davis is very skinny, so he'll have to bulk up if he intends to defend against NBA centers at the next level.

Even so, I think Davis will come in and put up close to 13 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks per game as a rookie (think Marcus Camby in his prime).

He has the tools to become an extremely efficient offensive talent considering he played point guard in high school before his growth spurt.

He has a long ways to go on offense, but his defense should be close to elite right away. You've got to buy Davis in this draft.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas

Buy

Assuming the Charlotte Bobcats stay put at No. 2 (unlikely considering the Cleveland Cavaliers are apparently willing to part with pick No. 4, No. 24 and possibly more, according to John Telich via Twitter), I think the Bobcats will take the talented, potential-packed big man, Thomas Robinson.

Robinson strikes me as a cross between Amar'e Stoudemire and LaMarcus Aldridge. He's extremely athletic for his size, can knock down jump shots, is explosive around the basket and rebounds like a pro.

He could stand to improve some post moves to be more efficient at the next level and his jump shot could stand to be more consistent, but I don't think there's any reason not to like Robinson in this draft.

3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida

Buy

Bradley Beal is drawing comparisons to Eric Gordon for his similar size and skill set.

He's a great scorer (although he may have been utilized too far out of his comfort zone at Florida) and he should come in and put up solid numbers right away.

Beal may struggle at creating his own shot against taller, longer defenders at the NBA level. However, having averaged 6.7 rebounds per game last season, he's a tremendous rebounder for his size who also proved to be a decent shot-blocker at his size (he recorded three blocks in one game at one point last year).

The rebounding and shot-blocking numbers may take a dip in the NBA, but the fact that he has those skills is a positive.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky

Buy

Although the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to trade up to No. 2 to nab Bradley Beal (via Chad Ford, ESPN Insider), and they may even look to add Kyrie Irving's good friend Harrison Barnes if they stay at No. 4, I think the smart move is taking Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

There are concerns about his inability to shoot the ball consistently, but Kidd-Gilchrist plays his rear end off in virtually every minute of every game. He could prove to be a lockdown NBA defender who could guard at least three different positions.

The kicker? He's still just 18 years old. At 18, the kid has a ton of potential to be a dynamic NBA talent.

I think a fair NBA comparison at this point would be Shawn Marion. He's a guy who plays incredibly hard, can defend a multitude of positions and...has an ugly jump shot.

Anyway, I can easily see Kidd-Gilchrist being the second-best player on some future championship teams. I buy this kid's talent and potential.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina

Buy

The Sacramento Kings desperately need an athletic wing player, and although I think the defensive-minded Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a better fit for a Kings team that plays no defense, Harrison Barnes isn't a bad consolation prize.

Barnes plays with an evident fluidity on offense and isn't afraid to take big shots. He doesn't hesitate to take open jumpers and knock them down from all over the court.

I can see him averaging 16 to 20 points per game in the NBA. Even so, Barnes will probably never be an elite NBA defender unless he starts working at it and taking that part of the game more seriously.

6. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber St.

Buy

I'm currently on the fence about how Damian Lillard's game will translate to the NBA level.

He's a score-first point guard in every sense of the term. Additionally, he played in a lackluster conference in college in terms of competitive opponents, so that may have contributed to his gaudy stats (24.5 points per game last season).

Even though Lillard played for a small-time basketball school in Weber St., he was easily the best player on that team and didn't have much talent around him to work with. Opposing teams' game-planning against Weber St. was to shut Lillard down, which rarely happened.

The guy scored 40 or more points twice last season. He has good size for a point guard, but may need to become more of a distributor to translate into team success.

The Portland Trail Blazers need a new point guard after the failed Raymond Felton experiment, so adding arguably the best point guard in this year's draft is a good fit.

7. Golden State Warriors: Andre Drummond, C, UCONN

Sell

With Andre Drummond still on the board for the Golden State Warriors at No. 7, would they roll the dice and take him?

Ultimately I say no, but having insurance for Andrew Bogut (who's made of glass) and David Lee (who has limited athleticism and can't play defense) wouldn't be the worst-case scenario.

The Warriors desperately need a wing player to slot next to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, though. Logically speaking, I'd say the Warriors trade back in the draft for a team that wants the boom/bust potential of Drummond or some other prospect (maybe trade back to the teens with the Houston Rockets).

Anyway, there's no denying Drummond's athletic ability, but I'm not sold on his work ethic at this juncture.

It doesn't help that he's drawing comparisons as a more athletic version of Kwame Brown.

8. Toronto Raptors: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse

Buy

As a Phoenix Suns fan, this pick hurts my heart because the Suns have promised to draft Dion Waiters at No. 13 if he's available (via NESN.com's Ben Watanabe).

His availability that late in the lottery now seems like a pipe dream because his stock has been shooting up lately.

The Toronto Raptors need a guy who can score the ball in bunches and Waiters can provide that. He has a solid jumper, can shoot off the dribble and while fading and is fearless when he drives the ball to the basket.

He's drawing comparisons to Dwyane Wade, and while the two have similar builds, I think that comparison is a bit of a stretch.

Even so, I think Waiters will be a solid NBA player for many years.

9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, North Carolina

Sell

I've been wary about John Henson for a long time and even though his stock has been on the rise, I just don't see his game translating well to the NBA level.

The Detroit Pistons need a running mate for Greg Monroe in the frontcourt and the lanky, shot-blocking Henson is a good fit.

Some have even compared him as a poor man's Anthony Davis, but I just don't see it.

He had a lackluster NBA combine performance, showing off a less than stellar vertical leap and reportedly hurting his knee, according to NBAdraft.net's Tyler Ingle.

At 6'11", 216 pounds, Henson is an absolute string bean. I can see him getting bullied early and often by NBA opponents. I'm selling.

10. New Orleans Hornets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois

Buy

A lot of pundits don't like Meyers Leonard, but I do.

He's freakishly athletic for his 7'1" frame, which is incredibly rare for people his height.

Although many view Leonard as a potential pick at this juncture, he has a soft touch around the basket, a good stroke at the free-throw line (again, a rarity for people his height not named Yao Ming), can block/alter shots and is an incredibly underrated passer for his size.

He's one of the best big men prospects I've seen at firing the ball out to perimeter shooters for open three-point shots.

I like Anthony Davis as a prospect at center, but I like him a lot more if he's moved to power forward beside a guy like Leonard.

A Davis/Leonard frontcourt is downright freakish in my opinion. I hope this happens.

11. Portland Trail Blazers: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UCONN

Buy

Jeremy Lamb is rubbing a lot of people the wrong way for his NBA combine interview where he looks and acts like he's...well, I'll let you use your imagination.

Anyway, Lamb is still one of the most dynamic scorers in this draft and he has an uncanny ability to create his own shot off the dribble.

I think he played better at UConn when he had Kemba Walker as a running mate, and with Damian Lillard going to the Trail Blazers in this draft at No. 6, they'd have a pretty dynamic young backcourt moving forward.

12. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Buy

If you haven't heard already, I didn't just mess up the actual draft order. Sam Amick of SI.com has reported that the Houston Rockets have traded Sam Dalembert and the No. 14 pick in the draft to the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 12 pick.

Even though there's probably an extremely low possibility that Houston keeps this pick on their quest to add Dwight Howard, we'll draft as if they're keeping the pick anyway.

The Rockets are looking for a new center and have been ever since Yao Ming retired. Tyler Zeller won't be a star in my opinion, but he will play rock solid basketball on both ends of the court.

I'd compare him to a mellowed out version of Tyler Hansbrough.

13. Phoenix Suns: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington

Buy

It's hard for me to buy a tweener as far as prospects go, but for Terrence Ross, I'll make an exception.

Ross is another guy who's stock is on the rise. He's a lanky, athletic wing who can play both shooting guard and small forward (although at this time he's probably better suited as a shooting guard until he can add some bulk).

If the past is any indication of what the Phoenix Suns plan to do, they'll probably trade Ross to the Boston Celtics for Chris Wilcox and a second-round pick.

Even if Ross turns out just to be mediocre, that will still be an improvement from some of the picks the Suns have made in the past.

14. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor

Sell

With the trade acquisition of Sam Dalembert, the Milwaukee Bucks have answered questions at what was the biggest hole on their roster—center.

Dalembert isn't an All-Star-caliber center, but he will block some shots and grab some rebounds, which is really all you can ask from a position that has been dying out in recent years (unless you have a transcendent guy like Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum).

Since the questions at center are answered, at least for the short term, the Bucks can make a potential pick here with Perry Jones III.

Jones has tremendous upside and athleticism, but he thinks he's a small forward (and in my opinion, he's not).

His motor isn't always running at 100 percent efficiency and he seems to shy away from making big plays. At this point, it seems that Jones is a pure potential pick.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Buy

Arnett Moultrie's stock has been dropping as we head into the draft, but I'm not entirely sure why.

He's a 6'11" power forward prospect, and although he's certainly slender at 225 pounds, he rebounds the ball extremely well and can spread the floor with his outside shooting.

On an unselfish, team-first basketball team like the Philadelphia 76ers, I think that makes him a perfect fit.

The Sixers will be in the market for a big man considering Elton Brand and Spencer Hawes are both set to be free agents, so even if they bring Hawes back they'll need some depth.

According to an article by David Mayo of mLive, Moultrie has no shortage of confidence.

"I'm a top-10 talent, for sure," Moultrie said. "Anywhere from six to 10."

While draft scouts may not agree that Moultrie deserves a spot in the top 10 selections tomorrow, you've got to love his swagger.

16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky

Buy

Again, the Houston Rockets picks are a complete enigma at the moment. Terrence Jones, however, is not.

Jones' stats dropped a bit from his freshman year to his sophomore year because of the incredible depth of talent that came aboard at Kentucky, but I don't think that should hurt his stock.

I think Jones will come into the league with a big chip on his shoulder for falling out of the lottery, which could make him dangerous.

I can easily see Jones, who has the prototypical small forward body, filling up the stat sheet from day one if he finds the right situation.

The south paw from Kentucky can score in bunches and is an underrated defender.

17. Dallas Mavericks: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina

Buy

A lot of fans and draft experts alike would sell on Kendall Marshall, but I'm not one of them.

Perhaps I'm biased towards pass-first point guards as a Steve Nash fan, but I think Marshall still brings a lot to the table.

Last season, Marshall led the nation in assist/turnover ratio while averaging 9.8 assists per game (good for second in the nation behind Iona's Scott Machado).

Although Marshall is seen as a big liability on the defensive end of the floor, I think he has underrated athletic ability, as he has a 37" vertical leap.

In addition, many believe that Marshall is a bad shooter because he averaged just 8.1 points per game. Even though Marshall didn't pour in the points, he shot 46.7 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from beyond the arc (both highly respectable percentages).

Because Marshall would rather pass and make teammates better, he rarely looked for his shot even though he scores efficiently.

Can you tell I like this guy?

18. Houston Rockets: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke

Sell

Here's what ESPN's Chad Ford had to say of Austin Rivers in a recent back-and-forth mock draft with Grantland's Bill Simmons:

"

"Here's my knock on Rivers. He thinks he's Kobe. He's not. He doesn't have the length, the height, nor the athletic ability. Take those things away from Kobe, and he's Ricky Davis — an irritating ball hog no one wants to play with and who isn't good enough to warrant the diva act."

"

Yeesh...

There's no denying that Rivers can shoot the lights out, but while his cockiness and arrogance can be viewed as a good thing (you need that confidence on the highest stage), it can also be viewed as a huge negative.

I think that Rivers has Andre Drummond-esque boom/bust potential. As a best-case scenario he'll be like Reggie Miller, a tremendous jump shooter who kills you in crunch time.

At worst? I think he could be a more-athletic version of J.J. Redick.

19. Orlando Magic: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State

Sell

I'm selling Jared Sullinger along with just about everyone else this year after he was medically red-flagged by NBA doctors.

However, I have a gut feeling that this will come back to bite teams who passed on him (like what happened when the San Antonio Spurs picked up DeJuan Blair in the second round).

Sullinger is undersized for a power forward at 6'9", but he has the motor and work ethic to outwork other guys for garbage points and rebounds.

Admittedly, that play style would be difficult to keep up with if you have back problems.

Maybe the Orlando Magic will trade for Miami's Mike Miller and have the all "We Need A Chiropractor" team.

Okay, that was a low blow. Keep your chins up Magic fans, you don't want Dwight anyway! That guy's a drama queen! (A really, really talented drama queen...)

20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's

Buy

I really like Moe Harkless in this year's draft.

He's an unassuming, humble kid who goes about his business out on the court.

He can score, defend, rebound and is a team-first guy (just about the opposite of Carmelo Anthony's persona).

He has lackluster range, but he'll be able to get by on the skills he has now until his outside shot begins to develop.

21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, SF, Iowa State

BuySell

How's this for a cop out?

Alright, so I really like Royce White's game. You've probably all heard the Boris Diaw 2.0 references, but I think those are fair and accurate.

There are White's positives, he can score, rebound, pass and see the floor like a point guard even though he's a small forward.

However, there are his negatives as well; he has a wildly inconsistent jump shot, turns the ball over way too often (nearly four times per game last year) and has an anxiety disorder.

You take the good with the bad when you draft a guy like White, and I think the two even out.

Okay, I'll cave.

Buy.

22. Boston Celtics: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure

Buy

I have to be honest, I really love this pick for the Boston Celtics (if it happens).

Andrew Nicholson has respectable size at 6'9", 240 pounds and can even spread the floor with his outside shot (he drained 23-of-53 attempts from beyond the arc last season, good for 43.4 percent).

As a junior at St. Bonaventure (two seasons ago), Nicholson averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

Those numbers compare favorably to Kevin Garnett. If Nicholson were to learn from under KG next season, I think he has a shot at being a star.

23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Buy

As a prospect, I love Jeffery Taylor. I think he has a great chance at coming in and contributing right away to any NBA team that decides to draft him.

He was consistent offensively and rebounding the ball, but what really sticks out to me is Taylor's toughness and grit on the defensive end.

While at Vanderbilt, Taylor was named an All-SEC defensive selection three years in a row. I think that speaks volumes about his work ethic on the defensive end of the floor.

With the uncertainty surrounding Josh Smith's future in Atlanta, I think Taylor would be a great pickup late in the first round.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse

Buy

Pay attention here Cleveland Cavaliers fans, because if you move up just two spots in the draft tomorrow, you will not have this pick at No. 24, that I can guarantee.

To me, a tandem of pick No. 4 and No. 24 is the safer choice for the Cavs.

Not only could they grab either Harrison Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 4, but they could also grab the defensive-minded center Fab Melo late in the first round.

Slotting Melo next to fellow Brazilian Anderson Varejao makes too much sense to ignore.

Melo is great defensively, but an enigma on offense. He'll have to make great strides to become respected on that end, but as a poor man's Tyson Chandler, I think the Cavs would be happy to pick him up at No. 24.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky

Sell

Some mock drafts have the Memphis Grizzlies selecting Doron Lamb's backcourt partner Marquis Teague here, but with Mike Conley and 21-year-old Josh Selby already on the roster at point guard, I don't think that makes much sense.

Apparently the Grizzlies plan to match any offer extended to restricted free agent O.J. Mayo, so drafting a shooting guard here may not be in the team's best interest (via Hoopsworld.com).

As a one-trick pony (a guy who can shoot threes with 46.6 percent efficiency), I like Lamb.

However, as an undersized shooting guard who does little else but shoot the ball, he could fall into obscurity as a guy who only shoots threes (which is fine for a guy in the late rounds, but there are other choices who could develop into more than that).

26. Indiana Pacers: Draymond Green, SF, Michigan State

Sell

According to Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter, it appears likely that the Indiana Pacers could take Draymond Green with their pick at No. 26.

I think Green has good potential, but there are more athletic options out there with greater upside than Green in my opinion, so it will be interesting to see how he translates to the NBA.

As a 6'7" small forward, Green rebounds the ball extremely well (10.4 boards per game last season). He'll probably fit in as a solid role player at the next level, making a difference with hustle plays, but I just have a bad feeling about him for some reason.

I can't explain that reason, but feel free to praise me when he doesn't become a rotation-worthy player.

27. Miami Heat: Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor

Sell

Quincy Miller's draft stock has been in a free fall over the past week or two, but as the best team in the league, the Miami Heat can afford to gamble on his upside and talent.

I'm selling Miller mainly due to his landing spot in this draft.

If he fell to the Golden State Warriors at pick No. 30, I could see Miller coming in, taking over the starting job early in the season and proving everyone wrong for passing on his talent.

On the Heat, however, where he'd be buried on the depth chart behind LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, I simply can't see him developing.

Overall, he should have stayed in school for another year, he might have been a top 10 pick had he done so.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Evan Fournier, SG, France

Buy

When you have a team as talented and young as the Oklahoma City Thunder, it makes sense to draft a prospect who can get more seasoning overseas before he comes over to make an impact.

When drafting European prospects who come to the league right away (Darko Milicic, Rudy Fernandez, etc.), the picks don't seem to work out.

When drafting the projects who play in Europe for a few years before coming over (Luis Scola, Tiago Splitter, etc.), there seems to be a higher success rate in my mind.

Two or three years down the road I can see Fournier joining the Thunder and contributing to what is quickly becoming an NBA juggernaut.

29. Chicago Bulls: Will Barton, SG/SF, Memphis

Sell

The upside is there with Will Barton, but at 6'6" and a measley 175 pounds, there are some concerns about how he'll be able to compete with buffer athletes in the NBA.

As a role player on a solid Chicago Bulls team, Barton could be a surprising prospect and hustle guy for a team with championship aspirations.

However, he could also quickly become a bench warmer.

30. Golden State Warriors: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky

Buy

I seem to be in the minority of NBA fans with this thought process, but I think Stephen Curry translates much better as a pure shooting guard.

By asking Curry to man the point guard position with the Warriors, I think that the organization is asking Curry to do too much.

His biggest strength out on the court is shooting the lights out, so he shouldn't have to worry about getting others involved. If the Warriors pick up Marquis Teague, Curry will no longer have that pressure on his shoulders.

Teague would have benefited from staying in school for another year, but I think that two or three years down the road he could come out of nowhere and raise a lot of eyebrows.

With Teague manning the point, Curry starting at shooting guard and Klay Thompson scoring as a super-sixth man off the bench? I like that backcourt trio.

Will it happen? Probably not.

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