2012 NBA Mock Draft: Projected Lottery Picks Following the Scouting Combine: While the NBA Finals are grabbing most of the headlines, everyone franchise outside of Miami and Oklahoma City has turned its attention to the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft. June 28 is fast approaching, and for teams picking in the lottery, draft night is the first chance to rebuild and retool their roster for next season. Thanks to the recent scouting combine, the picture is slowly starting to get a bit clearer as far as the top picks go. General managers are starting to discuss trades and potential picks, and the latest mock draft has some players flying up the board.
2012 NBA Mock Draft: Projected Lottery Picks
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, Power Forward, Kentucky
Davis and New Orleans both insist that no decision has been made about the No. 1 pick, but I think we all know they are lying. Davis’ is game changer on the defensive end thanks to his length and shot-blocking ability. He is also a potential franchise-changing player thanks to his rare and ever-improving offensive skill set.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Bradley Beal, Shooting Guard, Florida
The big winner of the combine was Beal. He was already being touted as one of the best scorers in the draft, especially from the perimeter, but it is his all-around ability is raising eyebrows. For a Charlotte team that ranked dead last in the NBA in scoring last year, Beal is starting to look like the best option. Down the road, he could become a Dwyane Wade-type player.
3. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Small Forward, Kentucky
His shooting touch was a little bit rougher than expected during the combine, but Kidd-Gilchrist still has plenty of potential. His energy and non-stop motor can’t be coached, and his size and athleticism will fit perfectly with the up-tempo pace John Wall and the Wizards like on the offensive end. More importantly, his toughness and tenacity will help improve a miserable Wizards’ perimeter defense.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Thomas Robinson, Power Forward, Kansas
Cleveland has been in serious talks to move this pick, but getting Robinson is a nice consolation prize if the Cavaliers can’t get a deal worked out. He is an NBA-ready scorer and rebounder, and while he might not have much room left to improve, there is nothing wrong with adding a nightly double-double threat to a starting lineup.
5. Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes, Small Forward, North Carolina
The Kings never seem to have a set rotation, and outside of Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins, every position could use upgrading. Sacramento is particularly thin at small forward, and Barnes is the quick fix. He may not have as much superstar potential as many thought when he entered college, but he is a versatile, NBA-caliber scorer. Barnes should be the steady offensive option the Kings need from the perimeter.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Andre Drummond, Center, Connecticut
Drummond’s potential is scary, and he is the best true center prospect in this draft. His offensive game is very raw, but he should have no trouble contributing on the defensive end and on the boards thanks to his size and athleticism. Perhaps most importantly, he will spare Portland’s current star LeMarcus Aldridge the wear and tear that comes with guarding opposing centers.
7. Golden State Warriors: Perry Jones III, Power Forward, Baylor
A few years from now, Jones could easily become the best player from this draft. He has that much talent. However, he is also soft and never seems to assert himself on either end of the court. Still, a 6-11 guy that can run the floor, shoot from the perimeter and guard multiple positions is worth the risk.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, Shooting Guard, Connecticut
Last year’s first-round pick Jonas Valanciunas should provide some added scoring in the frontcourt, and Lamb should do the same for a thin Toronto backcourt. He is a long, athletic player with a smooth stroke and a ton of range. He could develop into one of the best, pure scorers in this draft.
9. Detroit Pistons: Terrence Jones, Small Forward, Kentucky
Detroit needs a little bit of everything, and Jones is the type of versatile player that can stuff the stat sheet. Jones handles the ball very well for his size, and he could end up having a point-forward role given the Pistons lack of a true distributor in the frontcourt. Playing on a loaded Kentucky team masked his true potential, but Jones is a much better scorer and player than his college averages suggest.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Austin Rivers, Shooting Guard, Duke
Rivers has been one of the most-highly scrutinized players in this draft, but when the debate centers around whether or not he will be a star in the NBA, there is no doubt he has potential. New Orleans will need him to make the transition to point guard, but his ability to slash and score and get the foul line is a good first step. Adding two players with the talent of Davis and Rivers instantly sets up the Hornets for future success.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard, Point Guard, Weber State
The knock on Lillard has been that he is a score-first point guard that isn’t a great floor general. However, his assist totals in college were no doubt affected by the lack of talent around him at Weber State. He won’t have to do all the work on offense in Portland. Of course, it never hurts to have his shooting range and ability to get to the foul line either.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Jared Sullinger, Power Forward/Center, Ohio State
Sullinger will never replace the shot-blocking ability the Bucks lost when Andrew Bogut was traded away last season. That being said, he will be a rock solid presence on the glass for Milwaukee. Sullinger isn’t the most athletic big man, but he is a fundamentally sound player with an expanding offensive game. He should be a steady contributor for Milwaukee.
13. Phoenix Suns: Dion Waiters, Shooting Guard, Syracuse
Although Waiters didn’t exactly dominate in college, rumors are swirling that the Suns have targeted him as their guy in this draft. Phoenix does need some added backcourt scoring, and the front office likes his toughness on both ends of the court. If enough sources seem to agree on something, there is a good chance it is true, and it sounds like Waiters is going to be a Sun.
14. Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, Center, Illinois
Athletic 7-footers don’t come around too often, and Leonard should be an immediate presence on the boards and on defense. Houston needs some added bulk in its frontcourt with Marcus Camby getting older and Louis Scola being more of a scoring big. Leonard will have to avoid getting pushed around like he did at times in college, but he has all the physical tools to play center in the NBA.
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