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.
(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- 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 but MKG would be the ultimate glue guy that the Wiz sorely need.
Go here for more on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
3. Cleveland- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-3, Fr.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing. 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
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 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
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- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
The Raptors 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
9. Detroit- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, So.
The Pistons could use a big body inside to complement the skill level of Greg Monroe. Terrence Jones isn’t a true post player but a versatile forward who would certainly be an upgrade over the Ben Wallace/Jason Maxiell duo that Detroit has used this season.
10. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)- Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, 6-5, So.
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 Lamb provides insurance.
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- Austin Rivers, SG, Duke, 6-4, Fr.
Jared Dudley and Josh Childress are the only wing players under contract for next season so a scorer like Austin Rivers makes sense. A point guard like Kendall Marshall or Tony Wroten could also be an option since Steve Nash is a free agent.
Go here for more on Austin Rivers
14. Houston- Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse, 6-4, So.
The Rockets could go in a number of directions but with Kevin Martin seemingly falling out of favor in Houston, a shooting guard like Dion Waiters would allow the Rockets to move Martin. I think Waiters has star potential.
15. Philadelphia- Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State, 6-11, Jr.
Another big body would be the ideal fit for the 76ers since Spencer Hawes is a free agent. Arnett Moultrie could likely play either the four or five at the next level.
16. Houston (from NY)- John Henson, PF, 6-10, 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. Henson is a long, athletic shot blocker; something Houston will need if Camby is not re-signed.
Go here for more on John Henson
17. Dallas- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, 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. Since Dallas already has a young point guard in Roddy Beaubois, they turn to a talented wing player like Terrence Ross.
18. Minnesota (from Utah)- Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor, 6-9, Fr.
The T-Wolves need a shooting guard in the worst way but would be reaching to take any of the available guys at this point. Instead, they turn their attention to an extremely talented wing player who could be a steal in a couple of years.
19. Orlando- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, 6-2, So.
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. Kendall Marshall would be a great value this low and could be a potential replacement for Jameer Nelson who will be entering the final year of his contract.
Go here for more on Kendall Marshall
20. Denver- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, 6-5, Fr.
The Nuggets have a solid core, but Andre Miller is a free agent meaning Denver could use some depth at the point. Wroten could develop into the best point guard in the 2012 class so this is a potential high reward pick.
21. Boston- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
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. Jeffery Taylor is a do-it-all wing who should be able to contribute right away.
22. Boston (from LAC via OKC)- Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois, 7-1, So.
Since I don’t have the Celtics addressing their need for size with their earlier pick, they should do so with this pick. I think Meyers Leonard is more bust than boom but size is always worth a gamble this late.
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- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky, 6-2, Fr.
The Griz could use improved depth at just about every position especially point guard. Marquis Teague is a terrific value this late.
Go here for more on Marquis Teague
26. Indiana- John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt, 6-4, Jr.
The Pacers could use some size behind Roy Hibbert but with no big worth taking this high so they turn their attention elsewhere. John Jenkings 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- Evan Fournier, SG, France, 6-6, 1992
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 and would be unlikely to find a rotation player this late so stashing a Evan Fournier overseas could pay off in a year or two.
29. Chicago- Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, So.
The Bulls have most of their roster under contract for next season but could always use a scorer like Doron Lamb behind an aging veteran like Rip Hamilton.
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.
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