The 2012 NBA Draft figures to consist of a deeper, more talented group of prospects that the 2011 class. Team needs HAVE been taken into consideration with this 2012 NBA mock draft and the order is based on the current NBA standings. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report.
(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)
UPDATED: 2/23/12
31. Charlotte- William Buford, SG, Ohio State, 6-6, Sr.
Cory Higgins and Matt Carroll see minutes off the bench… Yeah, Charlotte needs to upgrade their depth at the two.
Go here for more on Will Buford
32. Cleveland (from NO)- Darius Miller, G/F, Kentucky, 6-8, Sr.
The Cavs go for more depth and talent on the wing. I really like Darius Miller and think he could be a useful role player off the bench.
33. Washington- Darius Johnson-Odom, SG, Marquette, 6-3, Sr.
Depth at the two would make sense since Nick Young becomes a free agent after this season.
34. Toronto- Evan Fournier, SG, France, 6-6, 1992
Raptors have a tendency to take foreign players so somebody like Fournier who can maybe help out in the future seems like a Toronto-thing to do.
35. Golden State (from NJ)- Scott Machado, PG, Iona, 6-1, Sr.
The Warriors signed Nate Robinson as a short term, back-up point guard. Machado is a pure distributor which Steph Curry and Monta Ellis are not.
36. Sacramento- Jae Crowder, F, Marquette, 6-6, Sr.
The Kings need an upgrade at the three and with Crowder’s tenacity on the floor and inside/outside ability; he should be able to stick on a roster.
37. Detroit- Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico, 6-9, Sr.
Gordon is a terrific rebounder who can find a role off the bench on a Pistons team in need of physicality inside.
38. Milwaukee- Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt, 6-11, Sr.
The Bucks don’t have a true back-up big man for Andrew Bogut; a role that Ezeli could maybe fill.
39. Denver (from GS)- Alex Young, G/F, IUPUI, 6-6, Sr.
A gifted scorer, Young could maybe add to Denver’s already deep bench.
40. Atlanta (from PHX)- Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas, 6-3, Sr.
Kirk Hinrich is a free agent so the Hawks could use options at the point behind Jeff Teague.
41. Cleveland- Robert Sacre, C, Gonzaga, 7-0, Sr.
The Cavs would be wise to use one of their picks in this draft in finding a true center.
42. Utah- Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure, 6-9, Sr.
Nicholson is an under-the-radar prospect who would add to Utah’s already deep and young frontcourt.
Go here for more on Andrew Nicholson
43. Houston (from MIN)- Augusto Cesar Lima, PF, Brazil, 6-10, 1991
With four picks in this draft, the Rockets will take at least two foreign players who they can hope will develop overseas and contribute down the line.
44. Portland- Dee Bost, PG, Mississippi State, 6-2, Sr.
Bost gives the Blazers another option at the point in case Raymond Felton leaves via free agency.
45. Boston- Reggie Johnson, C, Miami FL, 6-10, Jr.
C’s continue to look for depth all across the board and Johnson is a big body who knows how to score around the basket.
46. New York- Orlando Johnson, SG, UC-Santa Barbara, 6-5, Sr.
Knicks signed J.R. Smith as a temporary fix for depth at the two, Johnson could be the long-term answer.
47. Denver- Herb Pope, PF, Seton Hall, 6-8, Sr.
Herb Pope could stick on a NBA roster due to his ability to crash the glass and hit mid-range shots.
48. Memphis- Alex Oriakhi, PF, UConn, 6-9, Jr.
Because UConn can’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament next year, I think Oriakhi will leave early. He has massively under-achieved this season but still has the size and strength to add some depth inside for the Griz.
Go here fore more on Alex Oriakhi
49. Detroit (from HOU)- Henry Sims, C, Georgetown, 6-10, Sr.
Three picks, three post players for Detroit. Yup, I think they need that much help inside. Pistons have had success with one Hoya big man, maybe Sims can follow in Greg Monroe’s footsteps. (This pick stays with Houston if is between #31-#40.)
50. Atlanta- Marcus Denmon, SG, Missouri, 6-3, Sr.
Again, with only six players under contract for next season, Hawks need depth everywhere. Denmon can contribute in a lot of areas and maybe find a spot off the bench.
51. Dallas (from LAL)- Tu Holloway, PG, Xavier, 6-0, Sr.
The Mavs could use options at the point since Jason Kidd is a free agent.
52. Philadelphia- JaMychal Green, PF, Alabama, 6-8, Sr.
Green is not the true big man the Sixers could use but adds depth inside.
53. Indiana- Ricardo Ratliffe, PF, Missouri, 6-8, Sr.
Adding a big man behind Roy Hibbert, who is a restricted free agent this summer, would be an option but since there is no true center really left on the board, Ratliffe is a nice option.
54. L.A. Clippers- Jarrod Jones, PF, Ball State, 6-9, Sr.
“Lob City” could use some depth inside since Kenyon Martin only signed a one-year contract.
55. Orlando- Furkan Aldemir, PF, Turkey, 6-9, 1991
Like I said earlier, since their future hinges on Dwight Howard’s status, anything is possible so I’ll give the Magic the best available player.
56. Washington (from DAL)- Renardo Sidney, PF, Mississippi State, 6-10, Jr.
When you are a team starving for talent, you can afford to take a risk on Renardo Sidney with your third pick of the draft.
57. San Antonio- Robbie Hummel, SF, Purdue, 6-8, Sr.
Though not a tremendous athlete, Hummel could stick on a roster due to his all-around ability.
Go here for more on Hummel
58. L.A. Lakers (from CHI)- Kyle O’Quinn, C, Norfolk State, 6-10, Sr.
Lakers need to find depth at every position and O’Quinn could find a spot on their roster due to his size.
59. Minnesota (from OKC)- Kim English, G/F, Missouri, 6-6, Sr.
If there is one thing the T-Wolves need, it’s a wing player who can shoot the rock. Meet Kim English…
60. New Jersey (from MIA)- Jordan Taylor, PG, Wisconsin, 6-1, Sr.
The Nets need some options at the point with Deron Williams a free agent this summer.
Go here for more on Jordan Taylor
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David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com and is a former contributor at The Washington Times Communities. David has appeared on numerous national radio programs spanning from Cleveland to New Orleans to Honolulu. He also had the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.
You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.
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