2012 NBA Mock Draft: Best Possible Selections for Round 1 Teams
Some guys just fit better than others.
While most picks on NBA draft day will make sense in some way—and some inevitably will make zero sense—some will just be perfect.
Whether a player simply fits the system, he's drafted as a backup and needs a year or two to develop or he simply gets the right teammates around him, some players are just round pegs in, well, round holes.
In my newest first-round mock draft I'll take a closer look at what players fit the best with their proposed new teams.
Note: These players are in italics
Also note: All following stats come from DraftExpress.com.
1. New Orleans Hornets (21-45): Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
At this point, with all the trading and chaos ensuing from the draft, Davis is literally the only sure thing.
Davis' length, athleticism, basketball-IQ and defensive ability make him a franchise-changer, and the Hornets aren't listening to trade offers.
Moving on.
2. Charlotte Bobcats (7-59): Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Bobcats just traded for Ben Gordon, so Bradley Beal is pretty much out for No. 2 at this point. That is, if the Bobcats don't trade the pick.
They would like to get a small forward, so moving to Cleveland's spot at No. 4 to get Harrison Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and getting the 24th pick makes sense.
Nonetheless, if they stay here, you have to think it's Robinson, who doesn't have a high ceiling, but he's ready to play right away.
3. Washington Wizards (20-46): Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
This is a terrific fit.
After the Wizards dealt for Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor, they suddenly became just a shooting guard away from having a solid starting lineup.
What's more, with Ariza, Okafor and Nene, it's a very solid defensive lineup. Adding Beal, an offensive-savvy shooting guard, is the perfect pick here.
Beal is an impressive talent. His shot may have been inconsistent at Florida, but he was often playing out of position. He has the mechanics that will translate to the next level.
Throw in Beal's ability to get to the hoop and score with contact, and it's not hard to see the Eric Gordon comparisons.
Not only does Beal jump into this starting lineup right away, but being able to run next to John Wall and get out in transition will only help open things up fro the Florida standout.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (21-45): Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Harrison Barnes will be in play here, but if the Cavs are smart and they stay in this position, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the perfect pick.
Kidd-Gilchrist is easily the hardest worker in this draft. He will have trouble scoring, but his defensive prowess, rebounding skills and elite ability to finish at the rim make him the perfect second or third option.
With Kyrie Irving set as Cleveland's point guard for the future, getting Kidd-Gilchrist, his high-school teammate, almost makes too much sense.
5. Sacramento Kings (22-44): Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The Rockets are still trying hard to get this pick, but if the Kings stay put, there's no way they'll go any other direction.
Barnes may struggle to create his own shot, but he has perfect size for an NBA small forward and a pretty stroke from the outside.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via 22-44 Brooklyn Nets): Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
With Jamal Crawford and Raymond Felton hitting free agency, the Blazers are going to need a point guard.
You know, unless they think Nolan Smith is their floor general of the future. He's not, but lucky for the Blazers, Lillard is one of the hottest prospects in the draft and makes lots of sense here.
The Weber State product is an electric scorer, as evidenced by his 24.5 points per game. He's deadly from the outside, he can get to the hoop and finish inside and he knows how to get to the free-throw line.
Lillard isn't a true point guard, but combine him with Wesley Matthews, Nic Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge, and the Blazers are suddenly a dangerous offensive team and really fun to watch.
Win-win.
7. Golden State Warriors (23-43): Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
It sounds more and more like the Warriors are going to try to move this pick. Either they want to move up or they want to trade it for a veteran.
No matter what they do, they want a small forward when this draft is over. If they do stay put, don't be surprised if they grab Waiters and put him at the two while moving Klay Thompson to the three.
It's not ideal, but it would make for an exciting small lineup.
8. Toronto Raptors (23-43): Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
With a bevy of frontcourt players, look for the Raptors to grab a young scorer to put next to Jose Calderon.
Austin Rivers has been gaining steam, but the Raptors will like the added dimension of defensive ability that Lamb brings.
9. Detroit Pistons (25-41): Andre Drummond, PF/C, Connecticut
How the might have fallen. Drummond was once seen as a No. 2 pick, but his lack of production at Connecticut is beginning to scare teams off.
If the Rockets move up, don't be surprised if they grab Drummond, but with the way this draft is set up, he could fall simply because of need.
10. New Orleans Hornets (via 26-40 Minnesota Timberwolves): Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
There's thought that the Hornets will grab a guard here, but after trading Emeka Okafor, they are in desperate need of frontcourt help, even when they get Anthony Davis.
Leonard is a bit of a project, but the prospect of pairing him with the Unibrow in the frontcourt will be too hard to pass up.
11. Portland Trail Blazers (28-38): John Henson, PF, North Carolina
I mentioned earlier that the Blazers have the potential to be a very good offensive team. Henson gives them an immediate defensive presence, whether off the bench or in a role next to Aldridge.
With the explosive Lillard and springy Henson, I'm suddenly getting excited to watch this team.
12. Houston Rockets (34-32): Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
Predicting what the Rockets will do at this point is like predicting how Justin Bieber will impress me next. It could be anything.
But as it stands, and in this situation, the Rockets need a center and Zeller won't fall to No. 16.
13. Phoenix Suns (33-33): Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
The Suns need a talented wing player, and while Austin Rivers is still available, Ross is gaining some serious steam.
He's a dead-eye shooter from the outside, he has ridiculous athleticism and can play either the two or three.
While Rivers will be intriguing for Steve Nash insurance, I don't think he's a point guard at the next level. That makes Ross the pick.
14. Milwaukee Bucks (31-35): Austin Rivers, SG
The Bucks just traded for Samuel Dalembert, so while continuing to bolster the frontcourt isn't out of the question, it's far less likely.
Besides, with Rivers, who is arguably a top-10 talent, dropping this far, the Bucks won't hesitate to grab him. That will make them flexible with Monta Ellis' future.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (35-31): Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State
With Spencer Hawes hitting free agency and Nikola Vucevic not quite panning out, the 76ers need some inside presence.
While Moultrie isn't yet a true low-post scorer, he can shoot the ball with consistency, he's a solid rebounder and his size is perfect for the next level.
16. Houston Rockets (via 36-20 New York Knicks): Perry Jones III, SF/PF, Baylor
Once again I'm going with the player who appears to be near the top of draft boards at this point.
Jones lacks ideal toughness and consistency, but it will be hard to pass up his combination of size and athleticism, especially all the way down at No. 16.
17. Dallas Mavericks (36-30): Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
Deron Williams to the Mavericks is sounding more and more like a pipe dream, so with Jason Kidd hitting free agency, Dallas is going to need a point guard, and soon.
Roddy Beaubois is an exciting young player, but Dallas doesn't trust him. Enter Kendall Marshall, who has the IQ to start right away in this league.
Marshall doesn't have great defense or shooting ability, but that's not what the Mavericks need. They need someone who can run the offense and set others up.
The North Carolina product not only does that, he makes everyone around him better.
This is the perfect fit for everyone involved.
18. Houston Rockets (34-32): Terrence Jones, SF, Kentucky
Again with the Rockets. Since I don't know what picks will be Houston's by the time the draft rolls around, I'll just go with the best available by now.
Jones is a versatile forward who seems to be high on plenty of draft boards. This seems like a good spot for him.
19. Orlando Magic (37-29): Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Sullinger is going to see his stock drop because of injury concerns, but this is as low as I can see him going.
The Magic don't currently have a huge need for a big man, but if Dwight Howard is gone soon, they may need some frontcourt depth. Sullinger is a terrific scorer from the post and despite the injury concerns and below-the-rim athleticism, he is terrific value here.
20. Denver Nuggets (38-28): Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
Harkless isn't a great shooter, but his size, length, defensive ability and athleticism from the wing are reminiscent of Josh Smith.
The Nuggets are fine at small forward, but they don't have a ton of needs and Harkless, who has lots of versatility, is great value here.
21. Boston Celtics (39-27): Royce White, SF, Iowa State
The Celtics have supposedly given White a promise at No. 21, and that would make sense considering he's talented enough to go in the lottery.
The former Cyclone has anxiety problems, and that will scare teams off, but he looks like a bona fide point-forward who can do everything on the court.
White is truly a unique prospect and teams will regret passing him.
22. Boston Celtics (via 40-26 Los Angeles Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
The dream draft for the Celtics continues. First they get White, arguably the biggest steal of the first round, then they get a legitimate scoring threat in Nicholson.
With Kevin Garnett's days likely numbered to a year or two, Boston is eventually going to need a power forward. Nicholson not only has terrific footwork and smarts in the post, but deep range on his jump shot.
Think David West. Not too shabby for No. 22.
23. Atlanta Hawks (40-26): Evan Fournier, SG/SF, France
The Hawks don't have any major holes, so it would make sense for them to take on a project.
Fournier will eventually be a terrific scorer, but he likely needs another year or two before contributing in the NBA.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via 41-25 Los Angeles Lakers): Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
After grabbing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, it makes sense for the Cavs to continue to bolster their defensive unit.
They already have Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao in the frontcourt, but Melo is still very raw, so bringing him off the bench at first would be smart.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (41-25): Tony Wroten, PG, Washington
Wroten has his flaws, such as shooting and decision-making. Nonetheless, it's hard to look past his 6'5" frame, tremendous athleticism and rare vision in the open court.
The Grizzlies need a backup point guard, and Wroten makes sense while he continues to develop into a potential All-Star.
26. Indiana Pacers (42-24): Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
Since they don't have many holes, the Pacers simply need a role player who can come off the bench, not make mistakes and give eight to 10 good minutes per game.
That's Green, who can do anything on the court and is a mature player.
27. Miami Heat (46-20): John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt
Jenkins seems to be slipping to the early second round in most mock drafts, but I'm sticking with him going to the Heat. It just makes too much sense.
Everyone saw how dominant Miami can be when it has shooters spotting up on the wing, so why not get Jenkins, the best pure shooter in the draft?
He shot a ridiculous 44 percent from long range while constantly being blanketed by SEC defenses, so imagine how effective he'll be with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade drawing tons of attention.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder (47-19): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
The ACL is going to scare a lot of teams away, and while his stock is dropping, Miller would be a solid pick here for the Thunder.
He provides depth behind Kevin Durant, and while there are question marks about his offense, don't forget he has ridiculous size and wingspan for a wing player. At the very least, Miller will be a shut-down defender.
On the other hand, the Thunder don't have a ton of needs, so don't be surprised if they move this pick.
29. Chicago Bulls (50-16): Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
The Bulls have had success with one John Calipari point guard, so why not take a risk on another one while Derrick Rose continues to recover from his injury.
With Rose's status uncertain, Chicago needs some backcourt depth. While someone like Will Barton makes sense, I don't see Teague dropping out of the first round.
30. Golden State Warriors (via 50-16 San Antonio Spurs): Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
If the Warriors aren't able to trade for a small forward, they'll settle on Taylor, who brings toughness, athleticism, defense and a decent—albeit inconsistent—shooting touch from the outside.
