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: 3/19/12
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- Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Jr.
If the Wizards could draft “chemistry” with their first round pick, they should do so. The top two players on the board (Robinson and Kidd-Gilchrist) don’t necessarily fill a need. I give Robinson the edge since I think he will more of a game-changer at the next level.
3. New Orleans- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky, 6-7, Fr.
The Hornets would probably prefer Robinson falling to them since they need a power forward but will settle with Kidd-Gilchrist. New Orleans does have Trevor Ariza at small forward but MK-G brings an all-around game and fierce competitiveness to the floor.
Go here for more on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
4. Portland (from NJ)- Andre Drummond, C, UConn, 6-10, Fr.
With Marcus Camby and Greg Oden no longer in the picture, the Blazers sorely need a big man to pair with LeMarcus Aldridge up-front. Drummond isn’t ready to make a major impact right away but has tremendous up-side. Will Portland be willing to take Drummond though after the disaster that was drafting Oden? (This pick stays with Nets if it ends up in top three.)
Is Drummond the next NBA franchise center? Go here for more.
5. Toronto- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
The Raptors could go in a number of directions but could really use an upgrade from the Linas Kleiza/James Johnson duo at small forward. Barnes is a proven scorer and would give Toronto a nice tandem on the wing with DeMar DeRozan.
Go here for more on Harrison Barnes
6. Sacramento- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, So.
Since releasing J.J. Hickson, the Kings suddenly have a need for some depth inside. Jared Sullinger would give the Kings an extremely physical low post duo when combined with DeMarcus Cousins. (This pick goes to Cleveland if it falls out of the lottery.)
Go here for more on Jared Sullinger
7. Detroit- Perry Jones, F, Baylor, 6-11, So.
The Pistons could use some talent inside to compliment the skill level of Greg Monroe. Jones relies more on his athleticism and versatility than toughness but is extremely skilled.
Go here for more on Perry Jones
8. Cleveland- Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse, 6-4, So.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing where there are a few options. Bradley Beal is an option but I am very high on Dion Waiters and think he has Dwyane Wade-type flashes to his game.
9. Utah (from GS via NJ)- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-3, Fr.
The Jazz have a lot of young talent and would ideally go in one of two directions; a point guard or small forward. Any of the available players at those positions might be a bit of a reach though. Utah did just draft Alec Burks last year, but I feel Beal is the safest pick. (This pick stays with Golden State if it falls in the top seven.)
Go here for more on Bradley Beal
10. 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. Zeller could be a solid fit with the backcourt of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis due to his ability to run the floor.
Go here for more on Tyler Zeller
11. Portland- Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s, 6-8, Fr.
Since they dealt Gerald Wallace, the Blazers could use a versatile forward like Harkless as a replacement. I am a lot higher on Harkless than other mock drafts and really love his all-around game. A point guard could also be an option here since Raymond Felton will be a free agent this off-season.
12. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, So.
The Hornets could go in a number of directions here; power forward, shooting guard, point guard. Jones’ inside/outside ability makes him an intriguing prospect and it wouldn’t hurt the Hornets to draft another proven winner and intense competitor.
13. Utah- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, 6-5, Fr.
The Jazz need to address their need at the point and should take whoever they have ranked highest on their big board. Though still growing as a point guard, I like Wroten over Teague, Marshall, or Lillard. (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 since it more than likely will re-sign with the Suns, help on the wing is the direction to go. Jeremy Lamb would give them needed depth and scoring since Jared Dudley and the worthless Josh Childress are the only ones under contract for next season.
15. Houston (from NY)- John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, Jr.
The Rockets traded for Marcus Camby as a short-term fix and Samuel Dalembert isn’t a real long-term solution inside either. Therefore, Houston could take a true center like Meyers Leonard or Fab Melo, but Henson’s length allows him to be a rim protector though his lack of physicality is a concern.
16. Boston- 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.
17. New Jersey (from HOU)- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, Jr.
It appears as if Deron Williams is unlikely to re-sign with the Nets this off-season so the Nets need a franchise point guard. Lillard is more of a scorer than distributor but New Jersey will need somebody who can put the ball in the basket without Williams. (This pick stays with Houston if it falls in the lottery)
18. Denver- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, 6-2, So.
The Nuggets have a solid core, most of which is under contract next season. Andre Miller is a free agent so a potential replacement would make sense. Denver has found great success in one former UNC point guard so why not add another?
19. Philadelphia- Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois, 7-1, So.
Another big body would be the ideal fit for the 76ers since Spencer Hawes is a free agent, but with no big on the board worth taking this high, a perimeter scorer like Lamb would make sense since Jodie Meeks is a restricted free agent.
Go here for more on Meyers Leonard
20. Dallas- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, So.
With Jason Terry and Delonte West free agents after this season, the Mavs could use some options at shooting guard. Ross can stroke it from deep and also has the athleticism to get to the rim. (This pick goes to Houston if it falls out of the top 20)
21. Atlanta- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
With only six players under contract for next season, the Hawks take the best available player. Taylor could be an exceptional role player in the NBA due to his athleticism, improved three-point shooting, and ability to defend multiple positions.
22. Memphis- John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt, 6-4, Jr.
The Griz could use improved depth at just about every position but with O.J. Mayo a restricted free agent this summer, finding depth on the wing would be a wise move. Jenkins is one of the best pure shooters in this draft.
23. Boston (from LAC via OKC)- Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, So.
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.)
24. Indiana- Fab Melo, C, Syracuse, 7-0, So.
It is assumed that Fab Melo will be entering the NBA Draft since he was once again suspended by Syracuse for academic issues. Roy Hibbert will be a restricted free agent this summer and since the Pacers have no true back-up big man, Melo would give them some needed size inside.
25. Cleveland (from LAL)- Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas, 6-8, Fr
I have the Cavs drafting a shooting guard with their earlier pick but their talent on the wing is so poor, that adding another wing player is the way to go. Mitchell is crazy athletic and can get on the boards but needs to work on his all-around offensive game.
26. 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
27. Golden State (from SA)- Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure, 6-9, Sr.
Andrew Nicholson did wonders for his draft stock by leading the Bonnies to the Atlantic 10 Tournament Title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. With the Warriors trading Ekpe Udoh, they could use a skilled power forward to back-up David Lee.
Go here for more on Andrew Nicholson
28. Miami- Will Barton, SG, Memphis, 6-6, So.
The Heat would probably love to add a big man with this pick but there really isn’t a center worth taking this high. Barton would provide Miami with an athletic wing player to possibly help off the bench.
29. Oklahoma City- Draymond Green, F, Michigan State, 6-7, Sr.
OKC has most of their players locked up for next season so adding someone like Draymond Green who can potentially be a role player during his career would make a lot of sense. Either that, or drafting a foreign player and stashing him overseas.
Go here for more on Draymond Green
30. Chicago- Tomas Sotaransky, SG, Czech Republic, 6-6, 1991
The Bulls have most of their roster under contract for next season so I think they go the foreign route rather than adding somebody who will ride the pine.
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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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