NBA Draft 2012 Results: Best Value Picks from This Year's Class
In the NBA draft, all that you are looking for is value. Teams may have grand designs for what it takes to build their team into a champion, but at the end of the day all that matters is getting the most bang for your buck.
This year's class, like so many before it, provided its share of surprises, which made for a lot of tremendous value as we moved down the draft.
With so many notable names falling, here are the teams who got the best value for their team based on where they picked.
Perry Jones III to Oklahoma City (No. 28 overall)
We can argue all we want about the reported knee issue, but based on talent and potential long-term upside, Jones was the best value pick of the 2012 NBA draft.
The Thunder had the luxury of being able to take a chance on a risky, high-upside player because of the incredible depth they have built through the draft.
If Jones hits, he would give the Thunder a legitimate star at the power forward position. If he doesn't, they should at least get a serviceable bench player who will contribute solid minutes.
Given where they picked, the Thunder should be thrilled with what they got.
Jared Sullinger to Boston Celtics (No. 21 overall)
Like Jones, Sullinger had medical issues that dropped his stock precipitously. Back problems are more concerning than knees in basketball, so his fall from grace was justified.
However, Sullinger proved at Ohio State that he is a terrific scorer down low. He would have been the first or second player taken in the 2011 draft, so why not roll the dice?
The Celtics needed to take some chances to make sure they are able to keep up with Miami and Chicago in the Eastern Conference. Despite some baggage, Sullinger was too good to be true at No. 21 overall.
Marquis Teague to Chicago Bulls (No. 29 overall)
There comes a point where you have to stop looking at need and start going after the best player available. Of course, for the Bulls, point guard is a position of need until Derrick Rose comes back.
Still, having Teague fall into their laps with the No. 29 pick was as surprising as anything in this draft. Seeing them jump on him was much less so.
Teague is a project, though his speed, athleticism, ability to push the ball in the lane and upside give him the upside of a potential high lottery pick.
| 1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky |
| 2. Charlotte Bobcats: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky |
| 3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida |
| 4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse |
| 5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas |
| 6. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State |
| 7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina |
| 8. Toronto Raptors: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington |
| 9. Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut |
| 10. New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke |
| 11. Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois |
| 12. Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut |
| 13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina |
| 14. Milwaukee Bucks: John Henson, PF, North Carolina |
| 15. Philadelphia 76ers: Maurice Harkless, SF, St. John's |
| 16. Houston Rockets: Royce White, SF, Iowa State |
| 17. Cleveland Cavaliers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina |
| 18. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky |
| 19. Orlando Magic: Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure |
| 20. Denver Nuggets: Evan Fournier, SG, France |
| 21. Boston Celtics: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State |
| 22. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse |
| 23. Atlanta Hawks: John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt |
| 24. Dallas Mavericks: Jared Cunningham, SG, Oregon State |
| 25. Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Wroten, Jr., PG, Washington |
| 26. Indiana Pacers: Miles Plumlee, PF, Duke |
| 27. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State |
| 28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor |
| 29. Chicago Bulls: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky |
| 30. Golden State Warriors: Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt |
For a complete rundown of every team's selections, as well as draft grades, click here.
