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: 3/28/12
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. 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- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-3, Fr.
The Raptors could go in a number of directions but could really use a scorer on the wing. Bradley Beal is considered a “can’t miss” prospect and would give Toronto a nice wing tandem along with DeMar DeRozan.
Go here for more on Bradley Beal
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- 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.
8. Cleveland- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing where there are a few options. 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. Utah (from GS via NJ)- Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse, 6-4, So.
The Jazz have a lot of young talent in their frontcourt and likely look for a point guard or a wing player since both C.J. Miles and Josh Howard are free agents. I am very high on Dion Waiters and his ability to play either guard position would benefit Utah. (This pick stays with Golden State if it falls in the top seven.)
10. 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
11. 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
12. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)- Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, 6-5, 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.
13. Phoenix- Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s, 6-8, Fr.
The Suns would seriously look at taking a point guard since Steve Nash is a free agent but the tenth pick would be reaching for any of the floor leaders avaialble. Moe Harkless would give them needed depth on the wing since Jared Dudley and the worthless Josh Childress are the only ones under contract for next season.
14. Houston- Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois, 7-1, So.
Hasheem Thabeet certainly isn’t the long-term solution and Samuel Dalembert is more of a temporary fix meaning the Rockets could use a center. I am not as high on Meyers Leonard as other mock boards but with his size and athleticism, he shouldn’t fall much lower than this. (This pick stays go to New Jersey if it falls out of the lottery)
Go here for more on Meyers Leonard
15. 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, and Tony Wroten would all be options here depending on which guy the Rockets like best.
16. 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?
Go here for more on Kendall Marshall
17. Minnesota (from Utah)- Austin Rivers, SG, Duke, 6-4, Fr.
The Timberwolves need a scoring two guard and Austin Rivers is one of the best pure scorers in the draft. You have to admit, a backcourt of Rivers and Ricky Rubio is awfully intriguing. (This pick goes to Utah if it falls in the lottery.)
Go here for more on Austin Rivers
18. 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.
19. Philadelphia- John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, Jr.
Another big body would be the ideal fit for the 76ers since Spencer Hawes is a free agent. John Henson has terrific length and athleticism for a big but his lack of physicality drops his stock.
Go here for more on John Henson
20. Memphis- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, So.
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.
21. Houston (from DAL)- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
With three first round picks, the Rockets would be wise to move one of them. If for some reason they keep all three, adding a versatile player like Jeffery Taylor to upgrade their talent on the wing makes sense. (This pick stays with Dallas if it falls in the top 20.)
22. 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.)
23. Atlanta- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, 6-5, Fr.
With only six players under contract for next season, the Hawks take the best available player. I think Tony Wroten has lottery talent meaning he would be a great value this low.
24. 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.
25. 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.
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)- 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
28. Miami- Draymond Green, F, Michigan State, 6-7, Sr.
The Heat would probably love to add a big man with this pick but there really isn’t a center worth taking this high. Instead, Draymond Green could be a terrific role player on the Heat as he would surround their big three with a versatile player who contributes in just about every aspect of the game.
Go here for more on Draymond Green
29. Oklahoma City- Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure, 6-9, Sr.
Outside of Kevin Durant, OKC doesn’t have a lot of scoring punch in their frontcourt. Andrew Nicholson has a nice inside/outside game and did wonders for his draft stock by leading the Bonnies to the A-10 Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Go here for more on Andrew Nicholson
30. Chicago- Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas, 6-8, Fr
The Bulls have most of their roster under contract for next season so they can roll the dice on a project like Tony Mitchell.
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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.