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 off the end of the season NBA standings. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report and the team name for a list of off-season needs.
(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)
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1. Charlotte– Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
Regardless of who gets the #1 pick, Anthony Davis will likely be the selection. The Bobcats are bad, I mean REALLY bad so they could use talent at every position except point guard. Davis and Bismack Biyombo could be the frontcourt of the future in Charlotte.
Go here for more on Anthony Davis
2. Washington– Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-3, Fr.
The Wizards could go in a number of directions here. I certainly don’t think Bradley Beal is the second best player in this draft but he fits a need at shooting guard and considered by most as a “can’t miss” prospect.
Go here for more on Bradley Beal
3. Cleveland– Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky, 6-7, Fr.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing and MKG is a fierce competitor who would be able to impact the game in numerous ways and likely become the team’s starting small forward from day one.
Go here for more on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
4. New Orleans– Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Jr.
This would be a slam dunk for the Hornets. Thomas Robinson fills a need at power forward and is ready to be an impact player right away.
Go here for more on Thomas Robinson
5. Sacramento– Andre Drummond, C, UConn, 6-10, Fr.
Since releasing J.J. Hickson, the Kings suddenly have a need for some depth inside. Andre Drummond isn’t ready to make a major impact right away but has tremendous upside.
Is Drummond the next NBA franchise center? Go here for more.
6. Portland (from BRK)- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
The Blazers are in a position to take the best available player and in this scenario; it’s Harrison Barnes. He provides insurance on the wing in case either Nicolas Batum or Jamal Crawford leave via free agency. Adding a big man would be another option. (This pick stays with Nets if it ends up in top three.)
Go here for more on Harrison Barnes
7. Golden State– Perry Jones, F, Baylor, 6-11, So.
Scouts are hot and cold on PJ3 with good reason. He has star potential but could also easily be a bust. The Warriors need some athleticism in their frontcourt and Jones should be able to play either forward position at the next level. (This pick goes to Utah if it falls out of the top seven.)
Go here for more on Perry Jones
8. Toronto- Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, 6-5, So.
The Raptors could really use a scorer on the wing to help out DeMar DeRozan. Jeremy Lamb is another hot/cold type prospect as his negatives nearly outweigh his positives. Austin Rivers would be a bit of a reach but anoter option for Toronto.
9. Detroit- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, So.
The Pistons could use a big body inside to complement the skill level of Greg Monroe. Jared Sullinger is a below the rim player but would certainly be an upgrade over the Ben Wallace/Jason Maxiell duo that Detroit used this past season.
Go here for more on Jared Sullinger
10. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)- Austin Rivers, SG, Duke, 6-4, Fr.
Since they added some size with their earlier pick, the Hornets should look to bolster their backcourt depth. Eric Gordon is a restricted free agent and Marco Belinelli is an unrestricted free agent so Austin Rivers gives them another option with name value.
Go here for more on Austin Rivers
11. Portland- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, 6-2, Jr.
Raymond Felton is a free agent and coming off a disappointing season so the Blazers should be looking for an upgrade at the point even though they used their first round pick on Nolan Smith last year.
12. Milwaukee- Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina, 7-0, Sr.
In trading Andrew Bogut, the Bucks now have a huge hole in the middle as they don’t have a true center. Tyler Zeller isn’t the banger Milwaukee would ideally like to find but is the best big man on the board. A small forward is another option since Carlos Delfino is a free agent.
Go here for more on Tyler Zeller
13. Phoenix- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, 6-2, So.
Since Steve Nash is a free agent and not getting any younger, a floor leader of the future like Kendall Marshall seems like a smart pick. Jared Dudley and Josh Childress are the only wing players under contract for next season so a scorer like like Dion Waiters or Terrence Ross would also make sense if the team is confident they’ll be able to re-sign Nash.
Go here for more on Kendall Marshall
14. Houston- Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State, 6-11, Jr.
Marcus Camby will be a free agent and Samuel Dalembert is more of a short term fix so the Rockets will look at add size with one of their first rounders. Arnett Moultrie could likely play either the four or five at the next level.
15. Philadelphia- John Henson, PF, 6-10, Jr.
Another big body would be the ideal fit for the 76ers since Spencer Hawes is a free agent. Henson is a paper thin but extremely long, athletic, and a solid shot blocker.
Go here for more on John Henson
16. Houston (from NY)- Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse, 6-4, So.
In addressing their need for size with their earlier pick, a shooting guard like Dion Waiters would allow the Rockets to possibly move Kevin Martin who has sort of fallen out favor in Houston. I think Waiters has star potential and would be a steal this low.
17. Dallas- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, So.
Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Delonte West, and possibly Vince Carter will all be free agents meaning the Mavs need some new blood in their backcourt. However, Terrence Jones could potentially be a top ten pick but happens to fall in this scenario so I would expect a team like the Mavs to end his slide.
18. Minnesota (from Utah)- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, So.
The T-Wolves need a shooting guard in the worst way and will be thrilled if Terrence Ross falls to them. Ross has lottery skill and could very well be off the board at this point.
19. Orlando- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, 6-5, Fr.
The Magic are in a position where they need to add the best available talent to try and build a better supporting cast around Dwight Howard. Tony Wroten is extremely skilled and could end up being one of the top five players in this draft. He also provides a potential point guard of the future since Jameer Nelson is entering the final year of his contract.
20. Denver- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky, 6-2, Fr.
The Nuggets have a solid core, but Andre Miller is a free agent meaning Denver could use some depth at the point. Marquis Teague is a solid value at this point.
Go here for more on Marquis Teague
21. Boston- Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois, 7-1, So.
The Celtics could use improved depth at just about every position since they only have four players under contract for next season and likely take the best available players with their back-to-back picks. I think Meyers Leonard is more bust than boom but size is always worth a gamble this late.
22. Boston (from LAC via OKC)- Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor, 6-9, Fr.
Sticking with the best available player theory, Quincy Miller could have been a top ten pick in 2013 had he returned to school. He probably isn’t ready to make a major impact right away but could really be a home run pick in a couple of years.
23. Atlanta- Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s, 6-8, Fr.
With only six players under contract for next season, the Hawks take the best available player. I think Harkless could be a really good player in a few years due his versatility.
24. Cleveland (from LAL)- Fab Melo, C, Syracuse, 7-0, So.
Even though I have the Cavs addressing their need for help on the wing with their earlier pick, they could still look to add another scorer with this pick. However, Fab Melo gives Cleveland the true big man they currently don’t have on their roster.
25. Memphis- John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt, 6-4, Jr.
The Griz could use improved depth at just about every position but specifically in the backcourt. John Jenkins is a sharpshooter who provides a back-up plan in case restricted free agent O.J. Mayo leaves this off-season.
26. Indiana-Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, So.
The Pacers could use some size behind Roy Hibbert but with no big worth taking this high so they turn their attention elsewhere. Doron Lamb would be a solid replacement for free agent-to-be Leandro Barbosa as a scoring threat off the bench.
27. Miami- Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure, 6-9, Sr.
The Heat would probably love to add a true big man with this pick but instead settle for an inside/outside power forward like Andrew Nicholson who would provide some needed depth inside.
Go here for more on Andrew Nicholson
28. Oklahoma City- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
OKC has one of the best young cores in the NBA in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. They don’t have any glaring needs but Jeffery Taylor is a do-it-all wing who could possibly crack the rotation.
29. Chicago- Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas, 6-3, Sr.
With Derrick Rose possibly having to miss the entire 2012-2013 season due to his torn ACL, the Bulls suddenly have to find some other options at point guard.
30. Golden State (from SA)- Royce White, PF, Iowa State, 6-8, Soph.
Due to his point forward ability, Royce White is a unique talent who could steal this late. He also fits a need as the Warriors will be looking for depth at power forward since trading Ekpe Udoh.
Go here for more on Royce White
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This mock is listed in the following databases: Hoop Doctors, Walter Football, DC Pro Sports Report
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.