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: 4/20/12
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. 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 up-side. (This pick goes to Cleveland if it falls out of the lottery.)
Is Drummond the next NBA franchise center? Go here for more.
5. Cleveland- Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-3, Fr.
The Cavs biggest need is on the wing where there are a few options. 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
6. Toronto- Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So.
The Raptors could go in a number of directions but 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
7. 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
8. Utah (from GS) Perry Jones, F, Baylor, 6-11, So.
The Jazz have a lot of young talent in their frontcourt and Jones would only add to that. Some NBA scouts agree with me the Jones is a small forward at the next level and since Utah could lose C.J. Miles and Josh Howard via free agency, Jones fills a need. (This pick stays with Golden State if it falls in the top seven.)
Go here for more on Perry Jones
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)- Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse, 6-4, 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. I am very high on Waiters and think he has star potential. A point guard would be another option with this pick.
11. Portland- Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn, 6-5, So.
Since they addressed their need for size with their earlier pick, the Blazers could look to add a wing player to help fill the void left by Gerald Wallace. A point guard would be another option since Raymond Felton is a free agent.
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 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
13. Utah- Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina, 6-2, So.
Devin Harris is not the long-term solution at the point for the Jazz so they will almost certainly select one if they end up with two lottery picks. Kendall Marshall was one of the best pure distributors in college basketball this past season. (This pick goes to Minnesota if it falls out of the lottery.)
Go here for more on Kendall Marshall
14. Houston- Austin Rivers, SG, Duke, 6-4, Fr.
The Rockets could go in a number of directions; a true big man or point guard since Goran Dragic is a free agent. With Kevin Martin seemingly falling out of favor in Houston, a shooting guard like Austin Rivers would make sense especially for GM Daryl Morey who loves to collect assets. (This pick goes to New Jersey if it falls out the lottery)
Go here for more on Austin Rivers
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. 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 have a more dire need on the wing since Jared Dudley and the worthless Josh Childress are the only guys under contract for next season.
17. Houston (from NY)- Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois, 7-1, So.
Marcus Camby will be a free agent and Samuel Dalembert is more of a short term fix so the Rockets could use a true big man. I am not that high on Leonard’s potential in the NBA but he is the best center on the board and fills a need.
18. Denver- Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, 6-2, Jr.
The Nuggets have a solid core, but Andre Miller is a free agent meaning Denver could use some depth at the point. Lillard could go in the late lottery so this would be a solid value for his services.
19. Dallas- Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-6, So.
With Jason Terry a free agent-to-be and Vince Carter and Delonte West actually starting on the wing for the Mavs, they could use a young talented to scorer which Terrence Ross certainly is. (This pick goes to Houston if it falls out the top 20.)
20. Orlando- Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt, 6-7, Sr.
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. Jeffery Taylor is NBA ready and can contribute in multiple areas on the floor.
21. Boston- John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, 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.
Go here for more on John Henson
22. Memphis- Tony Wroten, PG, Washington, 6-5, Fr.
The Griz could use improved depth at just about every position especially point guard. With O.J. Mayo a restricted free agent this summer, drafting Wroten helps fill both needs since Wroten should be able to play either guard spot in the NBA.
23. Atlanta- Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas, 6-8, Fr.
With only six players under contract for next season, the Hawks take the best available player. Mitchell is crazy athletic and hasn’t even scratched the surface on how good he can be.
24. 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.)
25. Cleveland (from LAL)- Fab Melo, C, Syracuse, 7-0, So.
In addressing their need for help on the wing with their earlier pick, finding a true big man would be the ideal fit here for Cleveland. They could still look to add more talent on the wing but Melo is a good value this late.
26. 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.
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- Darius Miller, G/F, Kentucky, 6-8, Sr.
OKC has one of the best young cores in the NBA in Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. They need to continue to add solid role players to the mix and Darius Miller was the ultimate glue guy at UK and would be a great fit on the Thunder.
29. Golden State (from SA)- Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky, 6-2, Fr.
This would be a tremendous value grabbing Marquis Teague this late. It actually fits a need too since Stephen Curry is the only point guard under contract next season.
Go here for more on Marquis Teague
30. Chicago- Evan Fournier, SG, France, 6-6, 1992
The Bulls have most of their roster under contract for next season so adding a foreign wing player like Evan Fournier who could help out in a year or two when Rip Hamilton hangs them up would be a solid investment.
This mock is listed in the following databases: Hoop Doctors, Walter Football, DC Pro Sports Report
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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.