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 on the current NBA standings. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report.
(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)
UPDATED: 1/26/12
31. Washington- Alex Young, G/F, IUPUI, 6-6, Sr.
Depth at the two would make sense since Nick Young becomes a free agent after this season.
32. Charlotte- Draymond Green, F, Michigan State, 6-6, Sr.
A young team like the Bobcats would benefit having somebody with Draymond Green’s versatility and basketball IQ on their roster.
Go here for more on Draymond Green
33. Cleveland (from NO)- Hollis Thompson, SF, Georgetown, 6-8, Jr.
Hollis Thompson is a terrific shooter with good size who could provide a scoring punch off the Cavs’ bench.
34. Detroit- Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure, 6-9, Sr.
Ben Wallace has to be retiring after this season, right? As a result, the Pistons could use some frontcourt depth.
Go here for more on Andrew Nicholson
35. Toronto- Darius Johnson-Odom, SG, Marquette, 6-3, Sr.
With Leandro Barbosa a free agent this summer, the Raptors could use an off-guard with Darius Johnson-Odom’s scoring ability.
36. Golden State- Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas, 6-3, Sr.
The Warriors signed Nate Robinson as a short term, back-up point guard. Taylor could be the long-term answer behind Stephen Curry.
37. Denver (from GS)- Augusto Cesar Lima, PF, Brazil, 6-10, 1991
It would make sense for the Nuggets to go the foreign route and stash that player overseas for a year or two.
38. Sacramento- Kevin Jones, F, West Virginia, 6-8, Sr.
Jones is having a monster senior season for the Mountaineers and would be a solid value pick at this point of the draft.
39. Atlanta (from PHX)- JaMychal Green, PF, Alabama, 6-8, Sr.
Again, with only six players under contract for next season, Hawks need depth everywhere and go best available player.
40. Milwaukee- Robert Sacre, C, Gonzaga, 7-0, Sr.
The Bucks don’t have a true back-up big man for Andrew Bogut; a role that Sacre could maybe fill.
41. Cleveland- Henry Sims, C, Georgetown, 6-10, Sr.
The Cavs would be wise to use one of their picks in this draft in finding a true center.
42. Houston (from MIN)- Furkan Aldemir, PF, Turkey, 6-9, 1991
With four picks in this draft, the Rockets will take at least two foreign players who they can hope will develop overseas and contribute down the line.
43. Dallas (from LAL)- Scott Machado, PG, Iona, 6-1, Sr.
Jason Kidd is a free agent so Machado, one of the best pure distributors in college basketball, provides insurance at the point.
44. Detroit (from HOU)- Trevor Mbawke, PF, Minnesota, 6-8, Sr.
Mbakwe will apply for a medical redshirt and possibly return to Minnesota next season since he suffered a season-ending injury early this year. If not, he could add depth to a NBA team due to his energy and ability to rebound the basketball. (This pick stays with Houston if is between #31-#40.)
Go here for more on Trevor Mbawke
45. New York- Ricardo Ratliffe, PF, Missouri, 6-9, Sr.
Knicks need depth all across the board and Ratliffe could give them an energy player off the bench.
46. Boston- Orlando Johnson, SG, UC-Santa Barbara, 6-5, Sr.
C’s should look to add depth at the two in case free agent-to-be Ray Allen doesn’t return next season.
47. Memphis- Dee Bost, PG, Mississippi State, 6-2, Sr.
The Grizzlies should be looking to sure up their depth at the point behind Mike Conley next summer.
48. Washington (from DAL)- Herb Pope, PF, Seton Hall, 6-8, Sr.
Herb Pope could stick on a NBA roster due to his ability to crash the glass and hit mid-range shots.
49. Portland- Jordan Taylor, PG, Wisconsin, 6-1, Sr.
Taylor gives the Blazers an option at the point in case Raymond Felton leaves via free agency.
Go here for more on Jordan Taylor
50. San Antonio- Marcus Denmon, SG, Missouri, 6-3, Sr.
Marcus Denmon seems like the type of energy/role player who could find a home in San Antonio.
51. L.A. Clippers- Drew Gordon, PF, New Mexico, 6-9, Sr.
The UCLA transfer could possibly provide the Clips with a rebounding, role player to bring off the bench.
52. Utah- Tu Holloway, PG, Xavier, 6-0, Sr.
Jazz could use an up-grade at the point guard position.
53. Indiana- Reggie Johnson, C, Miami FL, 6-10, Jr.
Adding a big man behind Roy Hibbert, who is a restricted free agent this summer, seems like a wise move.
54. New Jersey (from MIA)- Renardo Sidney, PF, Mississippi State, 6-10, Jr.
When you are a team starving for talent, you can afford to take a risk on Renardo Sidney with your fourth pick of the draft.
55. Orlando- Jarrod Jones, PF, Ball State, 6-9, Sr.
Like I said earlier, since their future hinges on Dwight Howard’s status, anything is possible so I’ll give the Magic the best available player.
56. Philadelphia- Kim English, G/F, Missouri, 6-6, Sr.
English could find a home in Philly thanks to his shooting ability and versatility.
57. Denver- Chase Stanback, SF, UNLV, 6-8, Sr.
The former UCLA transfer has a smooth stroke on his outside shot that could earn him a roster spot.
58. Atlanta- Jae Crowder, F, Marquette, 6-6, Sr.
Depth, depth, and more depth is what the Hawks will be targeting in this draft.
59. Minnesota (from OKC)- Kent Bazemore, SG, Old Dominion, 6-5, Sr.
The Timberwolves need to add some depth and size on the wing.
60. L.A. Lakers (from CHI)- Eli Holman, PF, Detroit, 6-10, Sr.
Lakers need to find depth at just every position and Holman could find a spot on their roster due to his size.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FIRST ROUND
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.