West Coast NBA Fan

Mock Draft 2012

2012 Early Mock Draft by Max Trueblood

1. New Orleans, Anthony Davis, PF, 6'10"

Obvious pick. Assuming Eric Gordon resigns, the Hornets will have a nice inside outside punch heading into their new lease.

2. Charlotte, Thomas Robinson, PF, 6'9"

This gets a bit tougher but on a team with holes everywhere, the biggest hole resides at the PF spot as classic underachiever Tyrus Thomas is the only 4 under contract for next year. Robinson's never say die attitude will rub off well on a team that clearly put no effort in losing their final 23 games last year.

3. Washington, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, 6'6"

Another high character guy who helps the Wizards on and off the court as they transition from a team of goofballs to a respectable unit.

4. Cleveland, Bradley Beal, 2G, 6'4"

Very tempting to go for Andre Drummond here but too many question marks from low FT% to questionable attitude. Beal is the catch and shoot type who will work well with Kyrie Irving as the Cavs rebuild after losing Lebron.

5. Sacramento, Harrison Barnes, SF, 6'8"

Best player available. Kings have to decide what to do with Tyreke Evans. If Barnes starts at SF, Reke could move to PG, the bench or just get traded.

6. Portland, Andre Drummond, C, 6'11"

The 6th slot looks to be a good spot to take a chance on Drummond with. Portland needs a pivot man after finally throwing in the towel on Oden and trading Camby.

7. Golden State, Damian Lillard, PG, 6'3"

Oakland native stays home and gives the team much needed insurance for oft injured Stephen Curry.

8. Toronto, Jeremy Lamb, 2G, 6'5"

Lamb works in a lot of ways with Toronto. He can come off the bench behind Demar Derozan or start and play alongside him if the Raps move Derozan to his natural SF spot.

9. Detroit, Jared Sullinger, PF, 6'9"

The Pistons can go in many directions here. Maybe take a center and move Monroe to PF or back him up at the pivot. Or if they take a natural 4 man, there is also Arnette Moultrie, Perry Jones and John Henson available. Detroit banks on the heady Sullinger over players with a higher ceiling.

10. New Orleans, Austin Rivers, 1/2G, 6'4"

Best player available with arguably the most upside. Solid family background helps. Not sure what his long term position is but the Hornets will eventually figure out where he best fits.

11. Portland, Kendall Marshall, PG, 6'4"

With no guarantee of Ray Felton resigning, the Blazers go with a solid, heady floor leader who can backup Felton or even start if pressed for duty.

12. Milwaukee, Tyler Zeller, C, 6'11"

Zeller is the best big man available as the Bucks nab Andrew Bogut's replacement.

13. Phoenix, Terrance Ross, 2G, 6'6"

Tough spot for Phoenix. They would love to grab a floor leader with Nash's days in the valley of the sun seemingly numbered but with Lillard, Rivers and Marshall off the board, the Suns would be wise to shore up a weak position on their depth chart by taking a shooting guard.

14. Houston, Meyers Leonard, C, 7'0"

Camby is old and the Rockets are unsure about Dalembert's future with them so they make the safe pick and get a big man.

15. Philadelphia, Arnett Moultrie, PF, 6'10"

Elton Brand is getting old and Moultrie is the best on the board so the Sixers kill 2 birds with one stone by shoreing up a need and getting the best player available.

16. Houston, Perry Jones, PF, 6'11"

Tons of upside here. Jones may never pan out as he has a questionable motor but outside the lottery, the Rockets can afford to take a gamble.

17. Dallas, John Henson, PF, 6'10"

Dallas grabs this highly skilled big guy. This is about as low as he'll drop and with some good workouts, he can get into the top 10.

18. Minnesota, Kevin Jones, PF, 6'8"

The Wolves are still up in the air about bringing back Michael Beasley or Anthony Randolph so they would love to grab one of the top power forwards. Assuming the top guys are off the board, the Wolves grab this hard worker.

19. Orlando, Fab Melo, C, 7'0"

The Magic plan for life after Dwight.

20. Denver, Evan Fournier, 2G, 6'6"

Tough call here. The Nuggets are deep so they can take a foreign player who may not suit up for them for a couple years due to buyout issues. It's doubtful that anyone drafted this late can get minutes on this deep roster.

21. Boston, Doron Lamb, 2G, 6'4"

Underrated and overlooked on talented Kentucky squad, this could turn out to be a real steal for the Celtics.

22. Boston, Festus Ezeli, C, 6'11"

After going small with the previous pick, the Celtics look for a true big man here.

23. Atlanta, Tony Wroten, 1/2G, 6'4"

With only 6 players under contract, the Hawks look for someone versatile enough to cover a couple spots so they take a chance on this raw talent.

24. Cleveland, Marquis Teague, PG, 6'1"

The Cavs take talented floor leader to play backup to Irving.

25. Memphis, Tyshawn Taylor, 1/2G, 6'1"

The Grizz take a chance on this experienced guard to provide depth in the backcourt.

26. Indiana, Royce White, SF, 6'8"

If he can overcome fear of flying, this guy is a steal this late.

27. Miami, Robert Sacre, C, 6'11"

The Heat fill a gap as they have no backup big men worthy of decent minutes.

28. Oklahoma City, Jeffrey Taylor, SF, 6'7"

Thunder grab arguably the best player available.

29. Chicago, Malik Wayns, PG, 6'1"

Unsure of Derrick Rose's return date, the Bulls get some help behind C.J. Watson and possibly John Lucas III.

30. Golden State, Drew Gordon, PF, 6'9"

The Warriors make it 2 for 2 on bay area natives as they get San Jose's Drew Gordon to play behind David Lee.

jeffb

I have a feeling that we'll be getting one of Lamb, Barnes Lillard if we stay at #8. Unless BC see's something in another player that's projected to be lower.

Bill Haverchuck

I really liked what I saw from Royce, the few times I saw him play. I remember asking RaptorsBuckeyeFan about him, and RBF said Royce will probably play PF in the NBA. If he could play SF, and he somehow slips to the 2nd round, he might be an interesting pick for the Raps.

RaptorsandBuckeye FaN

Yeah, I'm still a fan of Royce in late round/early 2nd. The dude is talented. I still don't think he will be able to play the SF position in the NBA but I've been wrong millions of time before. Although, his flying issues are kinda scary. Seems like they could be a big problem to overcome for him.

Underrated prospect though. He was fun to watch at Iowa State this year.

RaptorsandBuckeye FaN

Also, I really like Austin Rivers game. I didn't think he fit Duke system but will be a much better fit in the NBA.

Think Thomas Robinson will be a good solid PF whoever takes him. I think Cavs really made a mistake last year taking Thompson @ #4. I think Robinson could fall there and he would be a perfect fit with Irving. Cavs should have taken Jonas last year. Kyrie @ #1, Robinson @ #4, and Jonas @ #5. They would really have a nice set up on the rebuilding process.

Still a fan of Barnes and hope he falls to Toronto at #8. Doubt it happens but I think his game is just solid. Don't think he will be a all star but he will be a starter for years to come.

Even though his hype is big time, I would be disappointed if I was a fan of a team in the top 4 and they took Drummond. I'm not touching him. I think he is too big of a project and the risk is not worth it. Big time risk.

Lamb at #8 would not be terrible. I like his game but was disappointed with him at times this year with UCONN. That UCONN team was a mess though so maybe that had to do with it.

SoGood

not keen on taking Beal or Lamb, just because I don't think Demar would be able to handle SF's. he has enough trouble handling SGs

rapsmannn

i think beal could drop to 8, i really do, watched him play a little and didn't come away impressed, also he looked slow in draft workout videos, also he doesn't have a quick release, for a guy touted as a shooter you can't be impressed by that

this is going to be the wildest draft in its history, your going to see a guy who is ranked 8th or 9th jump up the draft board, your going to see guys who are ranked in 12 to 16 range jump into the top 10

Aamir

Derozan's natural position SF lol