2012 NBA Draft
Newark, N.J.
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Charlotte
Bobcats SF, Age 18 MKG (6'7' 232) is a slasher
who can also play outstanding defense. He plays with a lot of energy and is
probably the most NBA-ready prospect here.
Will make a serious impact this year but he is young so dont overdraft
him. He sometimes struggles with his jumper.
3. Bradley Beal Washington Wizards SG, Age 18 Beal (6'7' 232) might be the best shooter in the draft. He is smart, gets some rebounds and can play defense. He has trouble creating though, due to poor ball handling skills, but is young enough to improve. He may not start right away but will be there at the end.
4. Dion Waiters Cleveland Cavaliers
SG, Age 20 Waiters (6'4' 215) is not a star caliber player but should
pair up nicely with Kyrie Irving who will take some
of the pressure off him. He should start right off the bat but needs to
improve his defense. Needs work on his long game but he can create as well as
anybody in this draft. Should be a solid mid-round pick.
5. Thomas Robinson Sacramento Kings
PF, Age 21 Robinson (6'10' 237) is a big rebounder who should play a lot
of minutes right off the bat and garner loads of boards. Has a lot of post work to do though and wont score a lot.
6. Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers PG, Age 22 Lillard (6'3' 195) will likely be the starting
point guard so he has value in the later rounds. He can score (24.5 last year
at Weber State) but needs to improve his defense and passing mind-set if he is
to be a pure point man. Needs to show he can produce against top competition as
well.
7. Harrison Barnes Golden State
Warriors SF, Age 20 Barnes (6'8'
215) can shoot and could win a starting job but touts are mixed on his upside.
He has a solid mid-range game and is strong for his size but has trouble
creating. Could be a sleeper in the later rounds if he gets
enough playing time.
8. Terrence Ross Toronto Raptors SG, Age 21 Ross (6'6' 190) is a pure shooter but cannot create and needs work on defense. Some think this was quite a reach. Look for him to come off the bench to provide some offense this year.
9. Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons C, Age 18 Drummond (6'11' 275) is raw and will have little value this year. With no offensive game, what little he contributes will be rebounds and blocks.
10. Austin Rivers New Orleans Hornets SG-PG, Age 19 Rivers (6'4' 199) is trying to learn the point guard position so they can have him and Eric Gordon on the court at the same time. "For most of the summer we're going to try to play him as the point guard and put the ball in his hands and see how he can run a team," assistant coach James Borrego said. "He's growing every day, learning the position. His assets are quickness and energy to score but needs to develop his playmaking skills in a hurry.
11. Meyers Leonard Portland Trail Blazers C, Age 20 Leonard (7'0' 240) will get his share of rebounds and blocks this year but they need time to let his offensive game develop. He should see a fair amount of playing time though.
12. Jeremy Lamb Houston Rockets SG, Age 20 Lamb (6'5' 180) is a pure shooter and decent defensive player but does not create well and needs to add strength. He could get some playing time behind the disappointing Kevin Martin at some point.
13. Kendall Marshall, Phoenix Suns, PG, Age 20 Marshall (6'4' 195) is a top playmaker and ball handler but is still kind of raw is certain aspects. He fits well in the Suns run and gun philosophy and is a fine passer but has little offensive game.
14. John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks, PF, Age 24 Henson (6'11' 220) can rebound and block shots but needs to add strength and develop his offensive game. Not much fantasy value.
15. Mo Harkless, Philadelphia 76ers, SF, Age 19 Harkless (6'9' 190) has rebounding ability but needs to add strength and range. No fantasy value.
16. Royce White, Houston Rockets, PF, Age 21 White (6'8' 270) is strong and should get his share of rebounds and points as he matures. He can handle the ball but is a tad slow and needs to work on a jumper.
17. Tyler Zeller, Cleveland Cavaliers, C, Age 22 Zeller (7'0' 250) can rebound and block shots and should even score some this year. And he could play a lot as the Cavs transition to a younger team. Lack of athleticism is why he dropped this far.
18. Terrence Jones, Houston Rockets, PF, Age 20 Jones (6'8' 244) can score and blocks a few shots but his shooting is inconsistent (although he can knock down some threes) and he lacks a true position. They like his size and athleticism.
19. Andrew Nicholson, Orlando Magic, PF, Age 22 Nicholson (6'10' 240) gets his share of rebounds and blocks and can score as well (even from three-point territory). He needs to add strength to garner decent minutes this year. Not much fantasy value.
20. Evan Fournier, Denver Nuggets, SG, Age 19 Fournier (6'7' 204) is a project. He can score from anywhere on the court but needs to improve his shot selection and lateral quickness on defense. Future playmaker has some potential down the road. No fantasy value this year.
21. Jared Sullinger, Boston Celtics, PF, Age 20 Sullinger (6'9' 280) is a solid scorer/rebounder and possible steal this late in the first round. He dropped due to concerns about a bulging disk in his back and a poor showing at the pre-draft combine. But so far so good he says he feels great.
22. Fab Melo, Boston Celtics, C, Age 22 Melo (7'0' 274) is a top rebounder and shot blocker but is very raw offensively and probably wont play much this year. No fantasy value.
23. John Jenkins, Atlanta Hawks, SG, Age 21 Jenkins (6'4' 220) could be the best pure shooter in the draft but a lack of other skills could relegate him to a backup role this year. Not much fantasy value.
24. Jared Cunningham, Dallas Mavericks, SG, Age 21 Cunningham (6'4' 194) is more of a defensive player. No fantasy value.
25. Tony Wroten, Memphis Grizzlies, PG, Age 19 Wroten (6'5' 205) has point guard potential, but not this year. He has good size and passes well but needs to develop his jumper, free throw shot and ball-handling. He will chip in rebounds and steals though. No fantasy value.