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: 2/23/12
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. New Orleans- Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Jr.
This would be a slam dunk for the Hornets. Robinson fills a need at power forward and is ready to be an impact player right away. Is it too early to declare him the Rookie of the Year favorite for next season?
Go here for more on Thomas Robinson
3. Washington- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
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 Barnes is the best player on the board.
Go here for more on Harrison Barnes
4. Toronto- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky, 6-7, Fr.
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. MKG is a fierce competitor who doesn’t need to score to impact a game.
Go here for more on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
5. New Jersey- Andre Drummond, C, UConn, 6-10, Fr.
Assuming the Nets don’t land Dwight Howard via trade, they will lose Deron Williams next off-season and pretty much be starting from scratch. A potential future franchise center like Drummond would be a nice building block and decent consolation prize for not landing Howard.
Is Drummond the next NBA franchise center? Go here for more.
6. Sacramento- Perry Jones, F, Baylor, 6-11, So.
The Kings have a lot of young talent that doesn’t necessarily fit well together. They could really use a small forward but since there is nobody available worth taking this high, they turn their attention to the often enigmatic Jones. He would give them a long, athletic forward to compliment the physical DeMarcus Cousins inside. (This pick goes to Cleveland if it falls out of the lottery.)
Go here for more on Perry Jones
7. Detroit- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, So.
The Pistons could use a big body inside to compliment the skill level of Greg Monroe. Sullinger would certainly be an upgrade over the Ben Wallace/Jason Maxiell duo that Detroit has used this season.
Go here for more on Jared Sullinger
8. Milwaukee- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-3, Fr.
It doesn’t seem like Stephen Jackson will be the answer at two guard for the Bucks and starting small forward Carlos Delfino is a free agent so grabbing a scorer on the wing would be a wise decision.
Go here for more on Bradley Beal
9. Utah (from GS via NJ)- Moe Harkless, SF, St. John’s, 6-8, Fr.
The Jazz have a lot of young talent and will go in one of two directions; a point guard or small forward. I am really high on Harkless (obviously) and he is better than any point guard on the board and provides depth in case C.J. Miles and Josh Howard leave via free agency. (This pick stays with Golden State if it falls in the top 7.)
10. 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 the tenth pick would be reaching for any of the floor leaders avaialble. Jeremy Lamb 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.
11. Cleveland- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, So.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing where there are a few options. Terrence Ross is a talented all-around scorer who could become the backcourt mate of the future for Kyrie Irving. I’ll give him the edge over Bradley Beal.
12. 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.)
13. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)- Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina, 7-0, Sr.
The ideal fit here would be a shooting guard since Eric Gordon a restricted free agent this off-season. Since it would be a major reach to take any available two guard this high, they should look to add a big man since Chris Kaman is a free agent after this season.
Go here for more on Tyler Zeller
14. Portland- John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, Jr.
With Marcus Camby, Greg Oden, and Craig Smith all free agents this summer, the Blazers could use some depth in their frontcourt. John Henson is a great get here and would give the Blazers a shot blocker to pair with LeMarcus Aldridge.
Go here for more on John Henson
15. 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 the direst need. Finding a potential Ray Allen replacement would be another option since he too is a free agent.
16. Houston (from NY)- 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.
Go here for more on Meyers Leonard
17. Denver- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, 6-2, So.
The Nuggets have most of their core locked up for next season but a point guard would be best option since Andre Miller. Denver has struck gold with one former UNC point guard in Ty Lawson, maybe Marshall can follow suit.
18. 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.
19. Houston- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky, 6-2, Fr.
In addressing their need for size with their earlier pick, the Rockets should look for a back-up to Kyle Lowry since Goran Dragic is a free agent and Jonny Flynn doesn’t seem to be the answer.
Go here for more on Marquis Teague
20. Atlanta- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, So.
With only six players under contract for next season, the Hawks take the best available player. Jones has lottery potential but inconsistencies have hurt his stock. He could end up being the steal of the draft at this point.
21. L.A. Lakers- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, Jr.
The Lakers need depth at just about every position but their point guard play has been especially poor this season. Lillard is college basketball’s leading scorer and could maybe help take some of the scoring load off of Kobe Bryant.
22. Philadelphia- Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, 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.
23. Indiana- Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas, 6-8, Fr
The Pacers could use some depth at the three behind Danny Granger. While still young and fairly raw as an all-around offensive player, Mitchell is a ridiculous athlete with plenty of potential.
24. Boston (from LAC via OKC)- Will Barton, SG, Memphis, 6-6, 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.)
25. Orlando- Kris Joseph, SF, Syracuse, 6-7, Sr.
This pick all depends on what happens with Dwight Howard this season so for now, I’ll give the Magic the best available player.
26. L.A. Lakers (from DAL)- Mike Moser, SF, UNLV, 6-8, So.
The Matt Barnes/Metta World Peace/Luke Walton/Devin Ebanks quartet isn’t the answer at small forward for the Lakers, maybe Moser could be. (This pick stays with Dallas if it falls in the Top 20.)
27. San Antonio- Kevin Jones, PF, West Virginia, 6-8, Sr.
The Spurs need some depth inside and though a bit under-sized, Jones is a terrific rebounder who can stretch defenses with his outside shot.
28. 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.
29. Oklahoma City- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
OKC has most of their players locked up for next season so adding someone like Jeffery Taylor 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.
30. Miami- Draymond Green, F, Michigan State, 6-7, Sr.
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.
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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.