2012 NBA Mock Draft

*All measurements in shoes*
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF Kentucky Fr. (6-10½, 222)
This is huge for the Hornets and a great fit. Anthony Davis is the obvious pick here and he'll give Hornets a great core of Davis, Eric Gordon, and whoever the Hornets take with the number 10 overall pick.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF Kansas Jr. (6-8¾, 244)
Unsurprisingly, Michael Jordan isn't sold on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist so he'll most likely target Brad Beal, Thomas Robinson, or Harrison Barnes (who you know Jordan wants really bad). Robinson is the best fit because he's the best mix of instant impact and long-term upside. It's not going to be a quick rebuild for Charlotte but they need to get better in the short term as well, because you can't have a historically bad season twice in a row and expect to draw fans or make any money.

3. Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal, SG Florida Fr. (6-4¾, 202)
The Wizards dropped one spot in the lottery, so they'll be deciding between Bradley Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Thomas Robinson, and Harrison Barnes. Beal will be a nice fit with the pieces the Wizards already have and should move right into the starting lineup and contribute right away for Washington at the shooting guard position. The Wizards need a number 1 scorer and 2 point shooting, and only Beal and Barnes have that potential.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF Kentucky Fr. (6-7½, 233)
The one thing that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist won't do right away is be a go-to scorer. Luckily for Cleveland, they already have a go-to scorer in Kyrie Irving. MKG will be great as a second banana to Irving, right off the bat bringing hustle, energy, rebounding, and defense as well as a little scoring.

5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, G/F North Carolina So. (6-8, 228)
The Kings have to be hoping that either Harrison Barnes, MKG, or Thomas Robinson falls to them, as Brad Beal and Andre Drummond aren't as good as fits. Barnes might be their third choice, but he'll still be a really nice fit because of his shooting, basketball IQ, and defense. The Kings have a hole at small forward and would have a very dangerous scoring combo of Barnes, Tyreke Evans, Isiaiah Thompas, and Marcus Thornton on the perimeter. The only question is, with Jimmer Fredette and DeMarcus Cousins there too, will there be enough shots to go around?

6. Portland Trailblazers (from Brooklyn): Andre Drummond, C Connecticut Fr. (6-11¾, 277)
The Blazers probably have to most talent of any lottery team and they've got two picks in the top 11 with which to work to get back to a playoff level. Andre Drummond is the last of the high level prospects and a nice fit into the massive void of the center position. Drummond doesn't always bring it on offense, despite elite tools, but he's an outstanding defender and rebounder, which is more than a lot of teams have at center and a good fit with LaMarcus Aldridge.

7. Golden State Warriors: Terrence Jones, PF Kentucky So. (6-9½, 252)
The Warriors were apparently unimpressed  with both Terrence and Perry Jones at a recent workout, but even if that's true, I still think they could end up with either of them. Golden State is looking for a small forward, but the only one that could realistically be there for them is Moe Harkless, who would be a big reach. Terrence Jones measured out with the body of a power forward, but given his skill set there's no reason Jones won't be able to play either forward position in the NBA. Even if Jones only ends up at the 4, he'll be a valuable backup because Golden State doesn't have anything after David Lee.

8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG Connecticut So. (6-5¼, 179)
The Toronto Raptors are will have a great chance to make a big leap next season because they'll be adding essentially two top 10 pick, with this pick and last year's number 5 overall pick Jonas Valanciunas coming over from Europe. Jeremy Lamb has high upside because his shooting and handle could make him a big time scorer while his length, athleticism, and quickness allow him to be a lockdown defender. Also, this pick will allow DeMar DeRozan to move to small forward, a better fit, and Lamb can slide in as the shooting guard

9. Detroit Pistons: Meyers Leonard, C Illinois So. (7-1¼, 250)
No one had their stock rise higher at the NBA combine more than Meyers Leonard. He measured really well, performed well in the drills, and impressed during the interviews. Leonard is a great fit on the Pistons, who are desperate for size and athleticism, and will compliment Greg Monroe's game very well. Leonard isn't without risks: he is raw offensively and has some focus and effort issues, but the upside is impossible to ignore.

10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota): Damian Lillard, PG Weber State Jr. (6-2¾, 189)
The Hornets will be looking carefully for the second player to pair with Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon as part of their young core. Damian Lillard would be a very good choice because of his skills as a scorer, decision making, and efficiency. Lillard is a very shooter and penetrater who rarely turns to ball over and shot well from the floor, three, and the line. He's also a hard worker off the court and a leader on the court, a good choice for a young, rebuilding team.

11. Portland Trailblazers: Dion Waiters, SG Syracuse So. (6-4, 221)
Dion Waiters apparently has a promise from a lottery team, and it makes sense that it would be the Trailblazers, who have the under-performing Wes Matthews and not much else at shooting guard. Waiters has big time scoring potential and would give Portland a strong core with LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Andre Drummond, and Waiters.

12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones III, F Baylor So. (6-11¼, 234)
The Bucks are an average team that doesn't have the draw to bring in a big free agent, so their only hope to improve is through the draft, however because they're just good enough to just miss the playoffs, they aren't drafting high enough. Given that situation, taking a risk on a super high upside player like Perry Jones. Jones, predictably, measured and tested excellently, it's questions about fit and motor that are questions that push him out of the top 5, where his talent would dictate.

13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG Duke Fr. (6-5, 203)
Word is that Austin Rivers has a promise in the lottery, and the team that make the most sense is Phoenix. If the Suns lose Steve Nash, they'll be without a marketable star. Austin Rivers might never be a star, but he'll be marketable for his first season or two and will make some highlight plays that will bring in fans. Rivers is coming of an excellent combine where he did well in interviews, measurements, and athletic testing.

14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Ross, G/F Washington So. (6-7, 197)
The Rockets are most likely losing Courtney Lee to free agency, and with Kevin Martin's history of injuries, it's clear that the Rockets will need to find more help on the wing. Terrence Ross is the last of the top group of shooting guards and one of the most well rounded prospects in the draft. Ross is a great shooter and athlete who is also very good defensively. Ross will provide insurance for Martin, and he can slide over to small forward so they can play together.

15. Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF Ohio State So. (6-9, 268)
Jared Sullinger is one of the hardest prospects to project in a mock draft because there are some teams that love him and would take him in the top 10 and some that don't, and would pass. At this point in the draft though, Sullinger is too talented for anyone to pass one. There's a rumor that the Sixers will amnesty Elton Brand this summer, if they do they'll need to add another power forward to go along with Thad Young, Sullinger is a similar player to Brand but cheaper and with more upside.

16. Houston Rockets (from New York): Tyler Zeller, C North Carolina Sr. (7-0½, 247)
The Rockets have a strong rebounding and shotblocking center in Samuel Dalembert, but they could really use some offense from that position. Tyler Zeller can hold his own on defense and rebounding, but where he'll stand out is on offense, especially getting up and down the floor in Houston's up tempo offense. Zeller is a safe pick to be a solid contributor at center, but without the big upside of some of the other first round centers.

17. Dallas Mavericks: John Henson, PF North Carolina Jr. (6-10½, 216)
Without Tyson Chandler, the Mavericks fell off some on defense, especially in in the playoffs. John Henson doesn't have the bulk to be the on ball defender that Chandler is, but his length and lateral quickness are elite and he should be able to be an excellent pick-and-roll and helpside defender, as well as a tremendous rebounder. Henson also has improved his offense every season and should be able to provide something hold his own on that end.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Utah): Moe Harkless, SF St. John's Fr. (6-8¾, 207)
Now that it's pretty clear that Derrick Williams is best suited to play power forward, the Timberwolves need to find a wing player to replace Michael Beasley. Harkless is a good fit because can create his own shot and get to the rim, as well as finish passes from Ricky Rubio. He's also a very good rebounder and has potential to be a good defender, if he learns to player hard on that end.

19. Orlando Magic: Arnett Moultrie, PF Mississippi State Jr. (6-10¾, 233)
The Magic need to add talent, it doesn't even really matter what position it is, they just need talent. Arnett Moultrie is the most talented player on the board, I think there was a chance he went at 9 to the Pistons before deciding not to work out at the combine hurt his stock. This is probably a worst case for Moultrie, but with the cluster of talent in the late lottery/mid-first, there's going to be some talent dropping.

20. Denver Nuggets: Kendall Marshall, PG North Carolina So. (6-4¼, 198)
While there's a chance Andre Miller comes back, given the amount of money the Nuggets spent on Wilson Chandler and will have to spend on JaVale McGee, I think they let him walk. Ty Lawson is the definite starter, but Kendall Marshall is a perfect fit for Denver's uptempo style and could play alongside Lawson like Miller did on occasion. If Marshall goes higher, Tony Wroten is another possibility.

21. Boston Celtics: Royce White, F Iowa State So. (6-8, 261)
Royce White did terrific in interviews and measured out well at the combine, though his stock is still pretty volatile because there are most likely teams that will take him off their boards because of his past issues. Talent wise he's a top ten player, a point forward who can do everything on the basketball court and lead Iowa State in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.

22. Boston Celtics (from L.A. Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF St. Bonaventure Sr. (6-9½, 234)
This is probably the floor for Nicholson, who was very impressive at the combine, measuring bigger than expect and with a 7-4 wingspan while shooting the lights out in drills. Nicholson was one of the best defensive players in the nation last season, which combined with his shooting ability is a rare combination. Whether or not Kevin Garnett returns to the Celtics next season, Boston is in serious need of frontcourt depth. Nicholson is a bigger, better defending version of Brandon Bass

23. Atlanta Hawks: Tony Wroten Jr, PG Washington Fr. (6-6, 203)
The Hawks never seem to be satisfied with Jeff Teague as their point guard but with big contracts weighing down the team, they can't really do anything much in free agency. It's rare that a potential star point guard is available this late in the draft, but Wroten's shooting and decision making are big hurdles to that stardom and push Wroten down to the bottom half of the round.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (from L.A. Lakers): Fab Melo, C Syracuse So. (7-0, 255)
Last year the Cavaliers passed on a true center, Jonas Valanciunas, only to see their starting center go down for the season and be forced to play scrap heaps guys and players out of position. Anderson Varejao will be back from injury, by he's had season ending injuries the last two years and doesn't have much in way of a back up. Fab Melo is raw, but has big upside.

25. Memphis Grizzlies: Marquis Teague, PG Kentucky Fr. (6-2, 180)
After trading away Greivis Vasquez, the Grizzlies have been in need of a backup point guard. so much so they even tried Gilbert Arenas. This is a great situation for Marquis Teague, learning from Mike Conley while contributing to a talented, winning team. Teague has big upside and could turn into a trade chip down the line, or even usurp Conley, he's got that much talent.

26. Indiana Pacers: Will Barton, SG Memphis So. (6-6, 174)
There's a good chance that the Pacers will lose Leandro Barbosa to free agency, leaving the Pacers in need of a bench scorer. Will Barton was one of the top scorers in the nation, averaging 18 points a game on 51% shooting from the floor through slashing, the midrange, and a solid jumpshot. Barton also contributed on the boards for Memphis, grabbing 8 rebounds a game. A lack of strength will likely limit Barton to the bench for now, but if he bulks up he could be a solid NBA starter.

27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, F Michigan State Sr. (6-7½, 236)
Although the Heat need some role players, they need role players that can take and make big shots and aren't afraid of big moments. Draymond Green can shoot, play point forward, and rebound but he also lead Michigan State to a number 1 seed as the unequivocal leader of the team.

28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeff Taylor, G/F Vanderbilt Sr. (6-7¼, 213)
The Thunder could use another wing defender and shooter to upgrade from Daequan Cook. Not only can Jeff Taylor fill those roles, he's got some upside because of his athleticism and slashing ability. Taylor is undervalued because he's a senior and some think his shooting, but this kind of potential is a rarity at this point in the draft.

29. Chicago Bulls: Jared Cunningham, G Oregon State Jr. (6-5, 188)
The Bulls could go any number of ways here, with a shooter such as Doron Lamb or John Jenkins, a point guard like Scott Machado, or a Euro player to keep overseas like Evan Fournier. One of the other options is an upside play, Jared Cunningham could pan out to be a terrific combo guard and fits the defensive mindset of the Bulls and who's slashing and scoring ability could take a lot of pressure off of Derrick Rose as a creator.

30. Golden State Warriors (from San Antonio): Quincy Miller, F Baylor Fr. (6-10, 219)
After taking a safer prospect at 7, the Warriors can swing for the fences here with an upside play like Quincy Miller. Miller is falling in the draft, but it would be crazy for him to fall out of the first round unless his knee is a huge problem. Miller is a combo forward with the size to play power forward but the game of a wing player