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2012 NBA Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 16-30
2012 NBA Mock Draft: Round 2
2011 NBA Mock Draft
2010 NBA Mock Draft
2009 NBA Mock Re-Draft
Updated: June 29, 2012.
Team needs and outstanding trades HAVE been taken into account with this mock draft.
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New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky, 6-10, Fr. 
The Hornets enter the offseason with a huge need up front since Chris Kaman and Carl Landry are free agents. Conspiracy theory or not, this is a major coup for a New Orleans team looking for star power after trading Chris Paul. Davis steps in and becomes the face of the franchise.
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Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Jr. 
I give Thomas Robinson the nod over Michael Kidd-Gilchrist since Robinson is a better and more capable scorer which the Bobcats sorely need. There is also talk that the Cavaliers are interested in trading up to the No. 2 slot to take Bradley Beal. This wouldn’t be a terrible option for the Bobcats since Robinson would likely still be on the board at No. 4.
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Washington Bullets: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida, 6-5, Fr. 
The acquisition of Trevor Ariza likely means the Wizards take Bradley Beal over Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Beal fills a need since Jordan Crawford is the only shooting guard under contract; Kidd-Gilchrist would just create a logjam at the three with Ariza and last year’s first-round pick, Chris Singleton.
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Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina, 6-8, So. 
Unless the Cavaliers trade up to No. 2 so they can land Bradley Beal, this pick will come down to either the offensive-minded Harrison Barnes or the do-it-all Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. I think Cleveland has a bigger need for a scorer like Barnes to help complement Kyrie Irving. Kidd-Gilchrist would turn the Cavaliers into a very defensive-minded frontcourt when combined with Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao, who are not known as scorers.
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Sacramento Kings: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky, 6-7, Fr.
Kidd-Gilchrist would be the perfect addition for a Kings team that already has loads of scorers but nobody like Kidd-Gilchrist, who can impact the game without needing to score.
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Portland Blazers: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State, 6-3, Jr. 
Portland owns the Nets’ pick from the Gerald Wallace trade. Go here to see all of the outstanding 2012 NBA Draft Trades.
Raymond Felton is a free agent and coming off a disappointing season, so the Blazers should be looking for an upgrade at the point even though they used their first-round pick on Nolan Smith last year. Taking him at No. 6 is too high, in my opinion, but he is a safer pick than Andre Drummond, who would also fill the need for a true big man.
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Golden State: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse, 6-4, So. 
In case you are new to my mock drafts, I LOVE Dion Waiters and think he is going to be a stud at the next level. In trading Monta Ellis, the Warriors have a need on the wing even though they just drafted Klay Thompson last summer. I think Waiters’ ability to get to the basket would be a great complement for shooters Stephen Curry and Thompson.
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Toronto Raptors: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke, 6-5, Fr. 
The Raptors could really use a scorer on the wing to help out DeMar DeRozan and are reportedly shopping this pick for a veteran. The consensus seems to be that this pick comes down to Austin Rivers or Jeremy Lamb.
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Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut, 7-0, Fr. 
This is likely where the slide ends for Drummond, who falls because of serious concerns about his motor and work ethic. However, the Pistons sorely need a complement inside for Greg Monroe, and Drummond could develop into that guy. If he is off the board, John Henson or Meyers Leonard would be possibilities.
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New Orleans Hornets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina, 7-0, Sr.
New Orleans owns the Clippers’ pick (via Minnesota/Sam Cassell trade) from the Chris Paul trade. Go here to see all of the outstanding 2012 NBA Draft Trades.
Since they dealt Emeka Okafor, the Hornets need to add a true center to play alongside Anthony Davis. Tyler Zeller isn’t incredibly physical but gives New Orleans an athletic, long frontcourt. The Hornets could also look to add a wing player like Jeremy Lamb since they dealt Trevor Ariza.
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Portland Blazers: John Henson, PF, North Carolina, 6-10, Jr.
The Blazers need some size inside and will look to add a big man. John Henson is rail thin, but could be a valuable shot-blocker playing alongside LaMarcus Aldridge.
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Houston Rockets: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois, 7-1, So. 
There’s no way the Rockets keep all three first-round picks so it’s all up for grabs from here one. If Houston does end up keeping this pick, they definitely need to add a true big man since they dealt Samuel Dalembert and Marcus Camby is a free agent.
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Phoenix Suns: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut, 6-5, So.
The Suns desperately need an upgrade of talent and improved depth on the wing, making Terrence Ross the logical selection. A point guard like Kendall Marshall would also be in play with Steve Nash’s future up in the air.
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Milwaukee Bucks: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington, 6-7, So. 
This is the ideal situation for the Bucks, having one of the top shooting guards fall to them. Terrence Ross would add athleticism on the wing and help replace Shaun Livingston who was dealt and, possibly, free agent Carlos Delfino as well if he does not return.
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Philadelphia 76ers: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State, 6-9, So. 
With red-flag rumors regarding his health, Jared Sullinger’s stock has taken a major dip. The 76ers need another big body since Spencer Hawes is a free agent, and while they would take a serious look at Arnett Moultrie or one of the Joneses, Sullinger could be a terrific value if the injuries end up being overstated.
Go to 2012 NBA Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 16-30
Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.
Go to 2012 NBA Mock Draft: Round 2
Go to 2013 NBA Mock Draft
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Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: [email protected].
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]
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