NBA Draft 2012: Grades for Every 1st-Round Pick

With the deepest roster in the league, the Denver Nuggets kept all their players for now, and stashed a couple of prospects away for the future. 

One of those was Fournier, who is a great ball-handler who will only get better as a shooter. He is great in the open floor, and he will not be needed immediately with Arron Afflalo and Corey Brewer at the two right now. 

With Fournier unlikely to play within the next two years, this draft pick grade is incomplete as of now.

Grade: Incomplete

No. 1: New Orleans Hornets Select PF Anthony Davis

Whether he becomes the next Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, or even becomes his own type of player, Anthony Davis should and will be the best player in this draft.

With weight to put on his body and a lot of post-game work to do, Davis is not only the player who can affect the game more than any other player as a rookie, but he also by far has the highest upside.

The Hornets, if they keep Eric Gordon, have the two great young pieces to potentially compete for the postseason within the next couple years.

Grade: A+

No. 2: Charlotte Bobcats Select SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

With nearly all the rumors saying that either Thomas Robinson would be picked here or the pick would be traded, Michael Jordan drafts a player who should remind him of a couple players.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has a great motor, will bang in the post, is an outstanding defender, and his floor could easily be Gerald Wallace, who helped the Bobcats to the postseason two years ago. His ceiling, however, could be Scottie Pippen, a player who helped MJ win his six titles, and is a great No. 2 player.

Unfortunately for Charlotte, there is no No. 1 option on the team currently. That being said, with MKG, Ben Gordon and Detroit's pick in an upcoming draft gained, along with Corey Maggette sent out, His Airness appears to have finally figured out how to build a franchise through the draft. 

Grade: A+

No. 3: Washington Wizards Select SG Bradley Beal, Florida

On his 19th birthday, Bradley Beal got a great birthday present by going to a potential playoff team. 

With Washington's additions of Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor and Beal, the Wizards have been magic in terms of using their assets to fill three big holes on their roster with great talents. Now comes fitting all the pieces together. 

With John Wall penetrating into the paint, and now a bunch of great pick-and-roll partners for him to work with, Beal will easily be able to find open spots on the court to make perimeter threes.

No longer will Washington fans have to stay in Gilbert Arenas-era purgatory, as character and skill define this group of Wizards.

Grade: A+

No. 4: Cleveland Cavaliers Select SG Dion Waiters, Syracuse

When Waiters was shut down early in the NBA combine due to a potential promise, there were many theories on which team promised him. 

However, few, if anybody, could have predicted that Waiters would actually be taken in the top 5.

Waiters could either be a player similar to Dwyane Wade or James Harden, and he will give the Cavaliers the type of Shooting Guard that can penetrate the way LeBron James went by all small forwards. 

The case could have easily been made for Harrison Barnes or Andre Drummond, but Waiters can take the game over more than any other player available at this point. With that in mind, Cleveland made an intriguing but a very likely rewarding pick in Waiters.

Grade: B+

No. 5: Sacramento Kings Select PF Thomas Robinson, Kansas

Thomas Robinson is a potential steal at this point because he could have been taken at No. 2. 

With him and DeMarcus Cousins in the post, Robinson can either play as the sixth man as a player similar to Paul Millsap, or can be possibly a David West-type as the starting power forward.

With two volume rebounders who display excellent effort, and Robinson's character potentially being able to calm down Cousins' mercurial personality, the Kings potentially improve two positions with one pick. 

Sacramento could not have scripted the draft any better, and therefore get the player who can maybe start making this underachieving team compete on a nightly basis. 

Grade: A+

No. 6: Portland Trail Blazers Select PG Damian Lillard, Weber State

Damian Lillard has risen up draft boards all season, and now is given the keys to a Portland franchise that needs to get past the failures of the Roy-Oden era.

Lillard averaged over 20 points a game, but he is a naturally unselfish player who scored because he had to in order to win.

At 6' 3'', 195 pounds, he is tall, big and athletic enough to play against and defend most, if not all point guards in the NBA, and he fills the one big gap in the Trail Blazers' starting lineup, assuming that Nicolas Batum re-signs.

Portland is putting a lot of pressure on Lillard to potentially be the leader, but he is certainly the guy to be that. 

Grade: A

No. 7: Golden State Warriors Select SF Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

If the Warriors can't compete for the postseason with this roster, fans should ask for their money back. 

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Barnes, David Lee and Andrew Bogut (if healthy) as a starting lineup could catch the attention of Pacific Division rivals in Los Angeles in the Clippers and Lakers.

Barnes has underrated athleticism, can shoot the ball, and is very comparable to Danny Granger. 

Just like Sacramento, the draft could not have been better scripted for the Warriors up to this point.

Grade: A+

No. 8: Toronto Raptors Select SG/SF Terrence Ross, Washington

As a Raptors fan, I was begging for Harrison Barnes to fall to the No. 8 pick, but Ross could help Toronto continue to improve their defense while giving them great shooting ability. 

Ross, who is compared to Nick Young by WalterFootball.com, will fortunately not be the Raptors' most covered rookie, as Jonas Valanciunas will likely start at center, while Ross will likely start at shooting guard. 

Ross and DeMar DeRozan on the wing will allow the Raptors to create in transition, and DeRozan's ability to penetrate will complement Ross's phenomenal shooting. How much does this help Toronto's potential pursuit of Steve Nash has yet to be seen.

In the end, this is a good pick that had the chance to be one that compared to having a Danny Granger-type talent fall to them in Barnes.

Grade: B- 

No. 9: Detroit Pistons Select C Andre Drummond, Connecticut

Again, like Sacramento and Golden State, a team has the player they really want fall right into their lap. 

Drummond is a huge risk, but a very calculated one at No. 9 because the Pistons have a lot of versatile big men who can play and let Drummond develop for a long time.

Drummond was emotional when his name was called because he goes to a team that really wants him, and he will both have a chip on his shoulder and very little pressure on him to perform immediately.

Pistons fans should rejoice, as they have both gotten rid of Ben Gordon's contract and gotten potentially the next Dwight Howard in one weekend.

At No. 9, even if Drummond becomes the next Kwame Brown, it won't be a franchise breaker, but Drummond being an elite center would make this pick look like the stroke of genius that Andrew Bynum being picked at No. 10 once was.

Grade: A+

No. 10: New Orleans Hornets Select PG/SG Austin Rivers, Duke

Austin Rivers looks like a more polished and bigger version of Russell Westbrook, and without a Kevin Durant on this team, he will be able to be the alpha dog. 

With Jarrett Jack currently entrenched as the starting point guard for at least one more year, Rivers can learn the intricacies of the position from Jack and a great coach in Monty Williams who happens to be a family friend, according to the Boston Globe.

New Orleans needs a confident player who isn't afraid of the spotlight and big shot, and Rivers will be that guy for at least the next few years. 

Though he will never be a true point guard, Rivers has found the best place for his development in New Orleans, and the idea of Rivers, Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu and Anthony Davis running in the open floor will have Hornets fans drooling.

Rivers will be a great third option for this team, and he could be a potential All-Star in two or three years. 

Grade: A-

No. 11: Portland Trail Blazers Select C Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Since Leonard measured 7'1'' at the NBA combine, his stock has risen to a potential top 10 pick. 

Even though there are concerns about productivity, he did shoot 58 percent from the field without a lot of talent around him, and he plays with a great motor. He does lose himself in the emotions of the game, however, but that could have been a product of inefficient coaching by Bruce Weber. 

With his skill and athleticism, Leonard could be a perfect fit with LaMarcus Aldridge, as new GM Neil Olshey comes from the Clippers where Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan were great in the open floor with Chris Paul giving them passes.

As the Clippers took a calculated risk with Jordan in the second round a few years ago, Leonard is a more skilled player of that nature that Olshey has no problem taking a chance on. 

Grade: B

No. 12: Houston Rockets Select SG Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut

Jeremy Lamb is a very good scoring two-guard with a near 7-foot wingspan, and a top 10 talent who fell due to not many teams needing a shooting guard. 

However, he could either be the third-string two-guard with Kevin Martin and Courtney Lee as restricted free agents, or a potential rookie starter if moves are made with Martin involved.

Lamb needs stability and great players around him to play well, and that did not happen last year. In the NCAA tournament with Kemba Walker, he shot over 50 percent from 3-point range. 

Lamb will not have a lot of pressure on him early on, and should just play as hard as he can, as he could be an intriguing part of a blockbuster trade in the future.

If Goran Dragic returns, Houston will have the point guard Lamb needs to maximize his potential. 

Grade: B

No. 13: Phoenix Suns Select PG Kendall Marshall, North Carolina

Mock drafts seemed to sour on Marshall recently, and I have absolutely no idea why. 

He is a Jason Kidd-esque passer who has a high upside for his offensive game in terms of scoring, and his 6' 4' height gives him great vision.

His absence in the NCAA tournament cost North Carolina a potential championship run, and possibly made his teammates' NBA draft stocks fall due to their inability to play without him. 

As it pertains to the Suns, Marshall will either be a back-up to Steve Nash for the next few years, or could be the starter this season.

Marshall should be in a mentor role for Phoenix, as he is the perfect complement for Nash because they won't lose much in terms of style when Marshall comes off the bench, which may help convince Nash to stay in Phoenix. 

Grade: A-

No. 14: Milwaukee Bucks Select PF John Henson, North Carolina

With Samuel Dalembert now the likely starter at center as of now, Milwaukee had the ability to draft the best available player. 

Fortunately for the Bucks, the selection of John Henson could mean even fewer minutes for the miscast Drew Gooden, and the addition of another defense-minded player to go along with Luc-Richard Mbah a Moute, Ekpe Udoh and Larry Sanders.

Henson could be considered a poor man's Anthony Davis due to his shot blocking and him having already developed most of his offensive game, 

This seems like overload in terms of defensive big men, but maybe the Bucks are collecting some assets to get a true shooting guard or small forward that matches up with Skiles' scheme, as Monta Ellis and Mike Dunleavy are skilled players who don't bring it consistently on defense.

I like the value of the pick, but am not sure of this team's direction and how this pick pertains to it. 

Grade: C+

No. 15: Philadelphia 76ers Select SF Maurice Harkless, St. John's

Maurice Harkless could be the best fit for Philly if the roster is re-shaped this off-season.

Harkless is a player comparable to Paul George, and his rebounding skills were on full display when he played some power forward at St. Johns. With Iguodala already at Small Forward, however, it may appear to some that the 76ers are overloading at the position. 

However, with the depth that this team has created, the flexibility in terms of both lineups and potential trades is what Philadelphia needs in order to take the next step from playoff participant to NBA Finals contenders.

If the 76ers can play the whole season like the did the first third of the season, this is the first move that will have allowed Philadelphia to play looser and more efficiently.

Grade: B+ 

No. 16: Houston Rockets Select SF/PF Royce White, Iowa State

There is no player currently playing in the NBA like Royce White because of his ability to pass the ball, rebound and score inside.

His anxiety about flying and past transgressions at the University of Minnesota aside, White is the type of versatile post player that Kevin McHale was and played with in Boston.

He is the best point forward available in the draft, and could potentially start at small forward this season because of his scoring and rebounding presence. 

White led Iowa State in five categories, including points, rebounds and assists, and could be the player that will likely survive any trade talk by the Rockets due to his unique repertoire of skills, and also the risks involved with him that other teams may not take on.

White could be the player that everyone looks at as a player who arrives at the right time in the NBA, but only one team took a risk on.

Grade: B+

No. 17: Cleveland Cavaliers Select C Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

This pick was originally made by the Mavericks, but Tyler Zeller will be playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With no true Center on their roster and Anderson Varejao being forced out of his sixth-man role due to the hole at the 5, Zeller is a perfect fit for Cleveland because of his addition of skill and experience, plus the Cavaliers need to have more ball movement. 

With Tristan Thompson a defensive presence at Power Forward, Cleveland needs a skilled big man who can score, pass out of double teams, set picks, and shoot some mid-range shots. 

Tyler Zeller is the perfect model for that, though he has concerns about lack of athleticism and strength. At 17, though, he is about an average starting center at worst, which can be considered a steal in most drafts.

Grade: B+

No. 18: Houston Rockets Select PF Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Versatile front court players seem to always go to the Rockets these days. 

Terrence Jones has LaMar Odom-esque scoring and shooting skills, and he played both the role of top scorer and supporting cast member in his career with the Wildcats. He played with great tenacity and energy on defense at Kentucky, and developed multiple parts of his game with John Calipari. 

The addition of the many front-court players for the Rockets will mean a very competitive training camp and summer league that will allow scouts to see how good these players can be, and maybe have them be pieces in big-time trades.

The Rockets will find a way to get something done with Daryl Morey as their General Manager. 

Grade: B+

No. 19: Orlando Magic Select PF Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

With Ryan Anderson and Glen Davis still likely to be on the roster, the addition of Andrew Nicholson seems to add a lot to the team's deepest position as of now. 

But Anderson is a restricted free agent, and Davis's large, plodding body seems to be against the philosophy of new GM Rob Hennigan, who was the assistant GM of Oklahoma City. This team needs to get young, athletic and skilled: three great traits of Nicholson. 

He is a great mid-range shooter, but is not a high-volume rebounder, and is only 6' 9''. Nicholson could be the player that can contribute the quickest of anyone who is available, and that may help Orlando keep Dwight Howard. 

Grade: B

No. 20: Denver Nuggets Select SG Evan Fournier, France

With the deepest roster in the league, the Denver Nuggets kept all their players for now, and stashed a couple prospects away for the future. 

One of those was Fournier, who is a great ball-handler who will only get better as a shooter. He is great in the open floor, and he will not be needed immediately with Arron Afflalo and Corey Brewer at the two right now. 

With Fournier unlikely to play within the next two years, this draft pick grade is incomplete as of now.

Grade: Incomplete

No. 21: Boston Celtics Select PF Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Jared Sullinger is a more skilled, more versatile and more aggressive version of Glen "Big Baby" Davis, who was a bench pillar for the Boston Celtics. 

If Kevin Garnett returns, he can teach Sullinger how to play with great intensity and stay in completely great shape. The best situation would be if Brandon Bass returns to start at power forward, and Sullinger comes off the bench in limited minutes. 

His back issues aside, if he can continue to develop his mid- and long-range shooting, he will benefit greatly from Rajon Rondo's presence and ability to create. Low-risk, high-reward, and added depth are the things to take away from Boston's pick of Sullinger. 

Grade: A

No. 22: Boston Celtics Select C Fab Melo, Syracuse

Fab Melo is a legit 7-footer, but he is as raw as fish taken out of the sea. 

If KG and Greg Stiemsma both return at center, it will give him a year to develop and become a great addition to a possible championship contender in 2013. He can block shots, but he has very little offensive game and is not a great rebounder for a 7-footer. 

Melo could not have gone to a better situation to develop. The Celtics have done a great job adding depth for now and starters-in-waiting for the future. 

Grade: B+

No. 23: Atlanta Hawks Select SG John Jenkins, Vanderbilit

Jenkins shot 43.9 percent from the field and averaged nearly 20 points per game the last two years. 

John Jenkins can play right away, as he played three years at Vanderbilt, and shooting is a skill that translates immediately at the next level.

He is a great pick to be an off-the-bench shooter, something that Atlanta hasn't had since Jamal Crawford. 

Grade: B+

No. 24: Dallas Mavericks Select SG Jared Cunningham, Oregon State

Jared Cunningham is a 6'5'' combo guard with the ability to play and defend multiple positions.

Cunningham is a potential point guard, but he can a role similar to what Delonte West did this season at a more consistent level while also being to add occasional scoring.

He is a bit of a risk as a first-round pick, but because Dallas is adding multiple role players in this draft, Cunningham's expectations won't be very high. 

However, with specialists like Doron Lamb, Festus Ezeli, and the potential of Perry Jones available to them, the Mavericks passing on these talents could cost them in the long-term future. 

Grade: C+

No. 25: Memphis Grizzlies Select PG Tony Wroten, Washington

Tony Wroten has no skills in terms of jump shooting, but he can really help Memphis become a more up-tempo team with his ability to play in the open floor.

He could also be an Iman Shumpert-type of defender on the perimeter, and has tremendously underrated passing skills.

With no backup point guard in the postseason, Mike Conley become tired in a seven-game series, and he was not able to play anywhere near his best in Game 7.

While Doron Lamb and Perry Jones were available, Memphis filled their biggest need while going with the best player to fill that need. But because he is a rookie, there will be a ton of growing pains, but the All-Star potential is there for Wroten. 

Grade: B+ 

No. 26: Indiana Pacers Select C Miles Plumlee, Duke

It seems just yesterday I was seeing Miles Plumlee in mock drafts at the bottom of the first round, only it was yesterday. 

Plumlee's athleticism apparently impressed Indiana, but he was an underachiever at Duke, and the Pacers will be extremely disappointed when he plays extended minutes. He never played at the level that anyone expected him to, and had trouble keeping his minutes with other young big men on the roster. 

A week ago, there was no guarantee that Plumlee would even be drafted. Now, he is supposed to back up Roy Hibbert in potentially big minutes when Hibbert gets in foul trouble against Miami? Wishful thinking on the Pacers' part, and a bad move by an organization that has rebuilt itself very quickly.

Grade: F 

No. 27: Philadelphia 76ers Select PF Arnett Moultrie, Mississippi State

Philadelphia selected two lottery talents in this draft, and Moultrie was a candidate to get picked at No. 15. 

He is comparable to Al Horford in terms of body type and skill, and could start at power forward if Elton Brand does not return to the 76ers. He has ability to set picks, play in the open floor, and Doug Collins loves undersized and skilled big men. 

With Moultrie and Thaddeus Young at the four, and Moultrie's ability to play the five in an up-tempo lineup, Philadelphia arguably becomes the most versatile team in the Atlantic Division, and could make a blockbuster trade with Andre Iguodala if the opportunity presents itself. 

Grade: A+

No. 28: Oklahoma City Thunder Select SF/PF Perry Jones, Baylor

Look up low-risk, high-reward in the dictionary, and it is this pick of Perry Jones by the defending Western Conference Champions. 

At 6'11'' with the ability to shoot threes, block shots and attack the basket, Jones is perfect with this young, up-tempo Oklahoma City team, as the length of this team only increases.

OKC's defense and offense was exposed as not always being tall enough to score in the post, and not having big men who could score when they had to. 

He can be the potential replacement for Serge Ibaka, but is possibly a better fit at the Small Forward position, and could allow Kevin Durant to play anywhere from shooting guard to power forward in different lineups.

With so many other young studs on this team, Perry Jones will immediately be motivated to live up to his potential. 

Grade: A+

No. 29: Chicago Bulls Select PG Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Marquis Teague is maybe the least appreciated point guard who led his team to a National Championship.

He is arguably more polished than his brother Jeff, who is the starting point guard for the Atlanta Hawks. With Derrick Rose out for an extended period of time, Teague and C.J. Watson, assuming he returns, can hold the fort and keep Chicago competitive for an entire season. 

When Watson leaves for free agency in 2013, Chicago will have its back-up point guard in Teague, and will be able to play up-tempo even with Rose on the bench.

Since both Rose and Teague played for John Calipari, I don't see them having a bad relationship, and they can play off of each other. 

Grade: A+

No. 30: Golden State Warriors Select C Festus Ezeli

Ezeli has the ability to grow as a player, and he can develop a lot behind Andrew Bogut and Andris Biedrins. 

His defense and intensity are unteachable skills that Mark Jackson will very much appreciate, and will give Golden State some toughness.

That being said, with the center position already two-deep, and a need for a back-up point guard, the selection of Ezeli could have potentially been made at pick No. 35 for better value. 

Grade: C+