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 current NBA standings. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report. Check out The Sports Bank’s NFL Mock Draft as well.
(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)
Check out our ridiculously early 2013 NBA Mock Draft.
UPDATED: 4/9/12
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- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky, 6-7, Fr.
If the Wizards could draft “chemistry” with their first round pick, they should do so. Washington did just draft Chris Singleton who plays the three and still has Rashard Lewis and his horrendous contract (how did they not amnesty him, seriously?) but MKG would be the ultimate glue guy that the Wiz sorely need.
Go here for more on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
3. 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
4. Cleveland- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-3, Fr.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing where there are a few options. Bradley Beal is considered a “can’t miss” prospect and would give Cleveland a talented backcourt duo along with Kyrie Irving.
Go here for more on Bradley Beal
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 up-side. (This pick goes to Cleveland if it falls out of the lottery.)
Is Drummond the next NBA franchise center? Go here for more.
6. Toronto- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
The Raptors could go in a number of directions but could really use a scorer on the wing. Harrison Barnes hurt his stock with his struggles in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 but is too good to pass up at this point for a team sorely needing a perimeter scorer.
Go here for more on Harrison Barnes
7. Portland (from NJ)- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, So.
With Marcus Camby and Greg Oden no longer in the picture, the Blazers need a big man to pair with LeMarcus Aldridge up-front. Jared Sullinger is a below the rim player but Portland could use some physicality inside. (This pick stays with Nets if it ends up in top three.)
Go here for more on Jared Sullinger
8. Detroit- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, So.
The Pistons could use a big body inside to compliment the skill level of Greg Monroe. Terrence Jones is a versatile forward who would certainly be an upgrade over the Ben Wallace/Jason Maxiell duo that Detroit has used this season.
9. Utah (from GS via NJ)- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, 6-2, So.
The Jazz have a lot of young talent in their frontcourt and likely look for a point guard since Devin Harris is not the long-term answer. Kendall Marshall could be the floor general of the future since he is one of the best distributors in college basketball. (This pick stays with Golden State if it falls in the top seven.)
Go here for more on Kendall Marshall
10. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)- Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse, 6-4, So.
Since they added some size with their earlier pick, the ideal fit here would be a shooting guard since Eric Gordon a restricted free agent this off-season. I am very high on Waiters and think he has star potential. A point guard would be another option with this pick.
11. Portland- Perry Jones, F, Baylor, 6-11, So.
The enigmatic PJ3 is a top five talent due to his versatility and athleticism but has yet to live up his potential which hurts his stock. For a team like the Blazers with two lottery picks, the risk could outweigh the reward.
Go here for more on Perry Jones
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 would be a bit of a reach at ten but is the best big man on the board.
Go here for more on Tyler Zeller
13. Utah- Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s, 6-8, Fr.
In addressing their need for a point guard with their earlier pick, a talented, versatile small forward like Moe Harkless makes sense since C.J. Miles and Josh Howard are free agents. (This pick goes to Minnesota if it falls out of the lottery.)
14. Phoenix- Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, 6-5, So.
The Suns would seriously look at taking a point guard since Steve Nash is a free agent but have a more dire need on the wing since Jared Dudley and the worthless Josh Childress are the only guys under contract for next season.
15. Philadelphia- Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State, 6-11, Jr.
The Celtics could use improved depth at just about every position, but with Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal both free agents, adding a big body is their direst need. Finding a potential Ray Allen replacement would be another option since he too is a free agent.
16. Houston (from NY)- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, 6-2, Jr.
With Goran Dragic a free agent at season’s end, Kyle Lowry is the only point guard under contract next season for the Rockets. Damian Lillard, Kendall Marshall, Tony Wroten, and Marquis Teague would all be options here depending on which guy the Rockets like best.
17. Denver- Austin Rivers, SG, Duke, 6-4, Fr.
The Nuggets have a solid core, most of which is under contract next season so this becomes more of a value pick for Denver. Austin Rivers is a terrific scorer but his lack of size and strength concern me regarding his transition to the NBA.
Go here for more on Austin Rivers
18. Dallas- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, So.
With Jason Terry a free agent-to-be and Vince Carter and Delonte West actually starting on the wing for the Mavs, they could use a young talented to scorer which Terrence Ross certainly is. (This pick goes to Houston if it falls out the top 20.)
19. New Jersey (from HOU)- John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, Jr.
With Kris Humphries only signing a one-year deal, the Nets will need insurance at power forward. The same could be said at point guard since Deron Williams could leave New Jersey this off-season as well. (This pick stays with Houston if it falls in the lottery)
Go here for more on John Henson
20. Boston- Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois, 7-1, So.
The Celtics could use improved depth at just about every position, but with Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal both free agents, adding a big body is the direst need. Finding a potential Ray Allen replacement would be another option since he too is a free agent.
Go here for more on Meyers Leonard
21. Memphis- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, 6-5, Fr.
The Griz could use improved depth at just about every position especially point guard. With O.J. Mayo a restricted free agent this summer, drafting Wroten helps fill both needs since Wroten should be able to play either guard spot in the NBA.
22. Orlando- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky, 6-2, 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. Teague would be a tremendous value as he has lottery potential.
Go here for more on Marquis Teague
23. Atlanta- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
With only six players under contract for next season, the Hawks take the best available player. Jeffery Taylor is NBA ready and can contribute in multiple areas on the floor.
24. Boston (from LAC via OKC)- John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt, 6-4, Jr.
Since I have the Celtics addressing their need for size with their earlier pick, they could turn their attention to finding a shooting guard since Ray Allen is a free agent. Even if Allen does return, some young legs on the wing would be beneficial. (This pick stays with the Clippers if it falls in the top 10.)
25. Indiana- Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, So.
The Pacers could use some size behind Roy Hibbert so somebody like Fab Melo would be an option. However, Doron Lamb would be a solid replacement for free agent-to-be Leandro Barbosa who Indiana acquired before the trade deadline.
26. Cleveland (from LAL)- Fab Melo, C, Syracuse, 7-0, So.
The Cavs need a true center to help hold down the fort in the middle. Fab Melo is still a work in progress but his future is bright if he continues to show steady improvement like he did from his freshman to sophomore season.
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- Darius Miller, G/F, Kentucky, 6-8, Sr.
OKC has one of the best young cores in the NBA in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. They need to continue to add solid role players to the mix and Darius Miller was the ultimate glue guy at UK and would be a great fit on the Thunder.
29. Golden State (from SA)- Royce White, PF, Iowa State, 6-8, Soph.
With the Warriors trading Ekpe Udoh, they could use a skilled power forward to back-up David Lee. Royce White is a unique talent due to his ability to handle the ball like a point guard but also bang down low.
Go here for more on Royce White
30. Chicago- Draymond Green, F, Michigan State, 6-7, Sr.
The Bulls have most of their roster under contract for next season but adding a player like Draymond Green who brings so much to the court would make their bench even more dangerous.
Go here for more on Draymond Green
CLICK HERE FOR THE SECOND ROUND
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CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF EARLY ENTRANTS FOR THE 2012 NBA DRAFT
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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