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.
CHECK OUT OUR LATEST MOCK DRAFT VERSION UPDATED: 2/2/12
1. Washington- Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr.
Regardless of who gets the #1 pick, Anthony Davis will likely be the selection. Even though the Wizards have quality youth up-front in JaVale McGee, Andry Blatche, Jan Vesely, Kevin Seraphin, and Trevor Booker, Davis’ skill and potential is too good to pass up. Andre Drummond and Harrison Barnes would be the other options.
Go here for more on Anthony Davis
2. Charlotte- Andre Drummond, C, UConn, 6-10, Fr.
With the exception of the point guard position, the Bobcats need help all across the board especially at center where Byron Mullens and DeSagana Diop are not the answer. Drummond has the makings of a future franchise center but is still rather raw. The Bobcats could choose to keep things in-state and take a safer pick like UNC’s Harrison Barnes or even Thomas Robinson of Kansas.
Is Drummond the next NBA franchise center? Go here for more.
3. 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?
4. Detroit- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
I think the Pistons would be tempted to take Sullinger and add a bruiser inside to compliment the skill level of Greg Monroe, but Barnes is too good to pass up at this point. Detroit did just sign Tayshaun Prince to an extension but could use some scoring on the wing which Barnes would provide.
Go here for more on Harrison Barnes
5. Toronto- Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, So.
The Raptors could go in a number of directions but a player with his size and physicality in the post would be a nice compliment to Andre Bargnani or Ed Davis. Perry Jones of Baylor would be another option but Sullinger is the safer pick and better fit.
Go here for more on Jared Sullinger
6. New Jersey- Perry Jones, F, Baylor, 6-11, So.
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. Jones is the best available player and also fills a need at power forward since Kris Humphries only signed a one-year deal.
Go here for more on Perry Jones
7. New Jersey (from GS)- Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky, 6-7, Fr.
Continuing their makeover, MK-G is a talented, all-around player and maybe most importantly for New Jersey; a winner. Building your frontcourt around Jones and Kidd-Gilchrist would help the re-building process immensely. (Utah owns this pick if it falls out of the top seven from the Deron Williams trade.)
Go here for more on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
8. Sacramento- John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, Jr.
The ideal fit for the Kings would be a small forward but since there is no three worth taking this high, a shot blocker like John Henson would be a nice addition to an already young frontcourt.
Go here for more on John Henson
9. 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 ninth pick would be reaching for a guy like Maruis Teague, Tony Wroten, or Kendall Marshall. 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.
10. 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 so taking Bradley Beal makes sense. Plus with Carlos Delfino a free agent after this season, Milwaukee will be looking for some scoring on the wing.
Go here for more on Bradley Beal
11. Cleveland- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, So.
A true center like Meyers Leonard would be a possible pick since the Cavs don’t have a true center, but I think their bigger need is on the wing. Terrence Ross is a talented all-around scorer who could become the backcourt mate of the future for Kyrie Irving.
12. New Orleans (from LAC via MIN)- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky, 6-2, Fr.
In addressing their need for a power forward with their earlier pick, the Hornets could go in a number of directions. A play-making point guard like Marquis Teague would give New Orleans a floor leader of the future especially since Jarrett Jack will be entering the final year of his contract next season.
Go here for more on Marquis Teague
13. L.A. Lakers- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, 6-5, Fr.
The Lakers need depth at just about every position but their point guard play has been especially poor this season. Wroten is a creator and play-maker who would take some of the pressure off Kobe Bryant and also score on his own due to his size and ability to get to the basket off the bounce.
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 this would be a good spot for him to land.
Go here for more on Meyers Leonard
15. Houston (from NY)- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, 6-2, So.
With so much young talent already on their roster, the Rockets don’t really need two more first round picks to add to the mix and would probably look to deal one of their selections. If not, Kendall Marshall adds depth at the point behind Kyle Lowry since Goran Dragic is a free agent and Jonny Flynn doesn’t seem to be part of Houston’s future.
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 the direst need. Finding a potential Ray Allen replacement would be another option since he too is a free agent.
17. Memphis- John Jenkins, SG, Vanderbilt, 6-4, Jr.
The Griz won’t have any glaring needs on their roster for next season but could use a sharpshooter off the bench. John Jenkins is one of the most dangerous three-point shooters in the college game.
18. Dallas- Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky, 6-4, So.
Jason Terry and Delonte West are both free agents after this season so the Mavs could use a long range scorer which is exactly what Doron Lamb is.
19. Portland- Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina, 7-0, Sr.
With Marcus Camby, Greg Oden, and Craig Smith all free agents this summer, the Blazers could use some depth in their frontcourt. Point guard would be another possibility since Raymond Felton is a free agent but Portland is not going to find anyone here better than their first round pick from last year, Nolan Smith.
Go here for more on Tyler Zeller
20. San Antonio- Terrence Jones, F, Kentucky, 6-9, So.
Terrence Jones has lottery talent but inconsistencies drop him this low. I actually think he would be a solid fit on the Spurs since he plays hard on the defensive end.
21. L.A. Clippers- William Buford, SG, Ohio State, 6-5, Sr.
Finding frontcourt depth will be a priority for the Clips next summer but so too will adding a true shooting guard since Randy Foye and Chauncey Billups are free agents.
Go here for more on William Buford
22. Minnesota (from Utah)- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
With Michael Beasley and Martell Webster possibly leaving in the off-season via free agency and Wesley Johnson still struggling as a pro, the T-Wolves could use some depth at small forward.
23. Indiana- Mike Moser, SF, UNLV, 6-8, So.
The Pacers could use some depth at the three behind Danny Granger and Mike Moser is a skilled inside/outside threat who can attack the glass due to his athleticism and length.
24. Miami- Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt, 6-11, Sr.
The Heat were so desperate for a big man that they brought in Eddy Curry so their hunt continues for size in the middle. Festus Ezeli is a big body in the middle (not as big as Curry thankfully) and could be a decent option off the bench.
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. Philadelphia- Tomas Sotaransky, SG, Czech Republic, 6-6, 1991
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 a first round pick, selecting a foreign player like Sotaransky who can still develop overseas for another year or two would makes sense.
27. Denver- Damien Lillard, PG, Weber State, 6-3, Jr.
Since the Nuggets have most of their core locked up for next season, Damien Lillard would provide insurance in case Andre Miller leaves via free agency. Lillard currently in college basketball’s leading scorer.
28. Atlanta- Will Barton, SG, Memphis, 6-6, So.
The Hawks only have six players under contract for next season so they are on the hunt for the best available player. I really like Will Barton’s potential and think he could develop into a poor man’s Jamal Crawford in the NBA.
29. Oklahoma City- Darius Miller, G/F, Kentucky, 6-8, Sr.
This is a pretty big reach, I know. However, OKC has most of their players locked up for next season so adding someone like Miller who has made the most out of being a versatile role player during his career at Kentucky would make a lot of sense. Either that, or drafting a foreign player and stashing him overseas.
30. Chicago- Evan Fournier, SG, France, 6-6, 1992
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.