[BouncyBallParticipant]

 http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft2012/story?id=7870595&_slug_=nba-mock-draft-version-4&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fdraft2012%2fstory%3fid%3d7870595%26_slug_%3dnba-mock-draft-version-4

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[TomShoeParticipant]

 IF I GET SUED BY ESPN FOR THIS, I’M COMING FOR YOU, BED-INTRUDER STYLE

Mock Draft, Version 4.0

Originally Published: April 30, 2012

By Chad Ford | ESPN.com

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Now that the NBA regular season has ended, the draft order from 15-30 is finally set and the NBA’s deadline to declare for the draft has passed, it’s time to check back in with our fourth Mock Draft of the season.

(If you want to see what your team would do with the No. 1 pick, check out our Lottery Mock Draft with more than 2,000 scenarios).

Here’s our best stab at a first-round mock draft after taking into account team needs. 
 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Charlotte	Anthony Davis	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 220 pounds Age: 19 School: Kentucky

(The Bobcats have a 25 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Well, that 23-game losing streak combined with the worst winning percentage in the history of the NBA better pay off. If the Bobcats land Davis, they have their frontcourt of the future and a young point guard, Kemba Walker, to start building around. If they miss out on Davis, the task becomes much more difficult.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Washington	Michael Kidd-Gilchrist	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 18 School: Kentucky

(The Wizards have a 19.9 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Wizards desperately need Kidd-Gilchrist’s leadership, toughness and work ethic. But they could also really use Brad Beal’s shooting ability. I think the Beal versus Kidd-Gilchrist scenario is a toss-up right now, but I’d be surprised if there’s anyone else seriously in the mix for the Wizards at No. 2.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cleveland	Bradley Beal	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 195 pounds Age: 18 School: Florida

(The Cavaliers have a 13.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: If the Cavs can stay in the top 3, it’s a huge outcome for them. The Cavs scored big time when they landed Kyrie Irving last year. They would complete their backcourt overhaul if they could put Beal next to him. That would give them two high-octane scorers who can both handle the ball, get to the rim and shoot it — an ideal scenario for the Cavs.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Orleans	Thomas Robinson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 237 pounds Age: 21 School: Kansas

(The Hornets have a 13.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Hornets need both size and a point guard. But since there isn’t really a point guard worthy of going this high in the draft, their choices are Robinson or Drummond. While Drummond might be the sexy pick here, Robinson is more of a sure thing and brings a toughness that the Hornets value.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Sacramento	Andre Drummond	Position: C Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 275 pounds Age: 18 School: UConn

(The Kings have a 7.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: I can’t really think of a more ideal pick for the Kings. Every year they tend to get the really huge upside guy who other teams pass on because of major red flags. In Drummond’s case, the red flags are production. He has the physical talent to be a dominant pro, but only showed it in flashes as a freshman. If he puts it together, Drummond and DeMarcus Cousins would be a devastating front line.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland (via Nets)	Harrison Barnes	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 19 School: North Carolina

(The Blazers have a 7.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Blazers grabbed this pick from the Nets as part of the Gerald Wallace trade. It’s top 3 protected so if the Nets win one of the top three spots in the lottery, the pick will revert back to New Jersey/Brooklyn.

The Blazers need help at both backcourt positions and at center. Not sure that Barnes really qualifies as a 2-guard and, in some ways, he duplicates what the team has in Nic Batum. But Portland needs shooters and players who can score the basketball and Barnes is terrific at that.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State	Perry Jones III	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 235 pounds Age: 20 School: Baylor

(The Warriors have a 3.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Warriors dodged a huge bullet on Friday when they won the coin toss and landed the No. 7 pick. Unless a team ranked No. 8 or below leapfrogs them in the lottery (there’s roughly a 29 percent chance of that) they won’t have to send this pick to the Jazz. I guess tanking pays off sometimes.

Jones has the talent to be a top 3 pick and many scouts believe his best pro position will be at the 3, which is a need for Golden State. If he lives up to his potential, this is a home run of a pick. But the Warriors have had their share of athletic, underperforming tweeners (Anthony Randolph, Brandan Wright) in the past.

 

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Toronto	Damian Lillard	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 185 pounds Age: 21 School: Weber State

(The Raptors have a 3.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Raptors need help at both the wing and the point. Lillard can play some of both. His versatility and ability to shoot and score the basketball should serve them well.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Detroit	John Henson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-10 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 21 School: North Carolina

(The Pistons have a 1.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Pistons really need both length and athleticism in their frontcourt. We’ve had Jared Sullinger in Detroit the past few mock drafts, but I’m getting a sense that a player like Henson, or even Arnett Moultrie or Meyers Leonard, may have a better shot. All three seem like a bit of a reach at No. 9, but long athletes don’t grow on trees and the Pistons might have to just take a risk here.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	New Orleans (via Wolves)	Kendall Marshall	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 188 pounds Age: 20 School: North Carolina

(The Hornets have a 1.1 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: We have the Hornets taking a power forward with their first pick (No. 4). The question here is whether they go for a point guard like Kendall Marshall or whether they add some help in the middle. Marshall is a pass-first point guard who makes everyone around him better.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Portland	Tyler Zeller	Position: C Height: 7-foot Weight: 235 pounds Age: 22 School: North Carolina

(The Blazers have a 0.8 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Blazers don’t have much of anything in the middle. Although Zeller doesn’t project to be a star, he is big, runs the floor well and has a soft touch around the basket.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Milwaukee	Jared Sullinger	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 280 pounds Age: 20 School: Ohio State

(The Bucks have a 0.7 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: Ersan Ilyasova had a breakout year for the Bucks at the power forward position this season, but he’s a free agent and Milwaukee may not be able to afford to keep him. Sullinger might be a terrific alternative. He’s a bit undersized, but his rebounding ability and offensive prowess make him a very attractive option at this point in the draft.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Phoenix	Austin Rivers	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 199 pounds Age: 19 School: Duke

(The Suns have a 0.6 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Suns need a little bit of everything, but what they really need is star power. With Steve Nash possibly on the move this summer, someone has to sell tickets. If Rivers ever lives up to his potential, he could be a great get this low. He’s going to have to rein in his game and get comfortable with who he is at the NBA level, but the talent is definitely there.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston	Terrence Jones	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 244 pounds Age: 20 School: Kentucky

(The Rockets have a 0.5 percent chance of winning the lottery.)

Analysis: The Rockets drafted in the same spot last year and came away with Marcus Morris. Jones has some similar talents, but with more upside. At this point, the Rockets take the player with the most upside.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Philadelphia	Terrence Ross	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 190 pounds Age: 21 School: Washington

Analysis: Jodie Meeks is the closest thing the Sixers have to a great 3-point shooter right now. Adding Ross would be an instant upgrade at the backup shooting guard spot.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Houston (via Knicks)	Arnett Moultrie	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-11 Weight: 225 pounds Age: 21 School: Mississippi State

Analysis: Moultrie has been steadily rising on draft boards the past few weeks as GMs and scouts go back and look at tape. His size, elite athletic ability and rebounding prowess make him worth the risk. In fact, I wonder if he’ll really go this low. The Pistons could grab him at No. 9.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Dallas	Jeremy Lamb	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 185 pounds Age: 19 School: UConn

Analysis: This would be a very surprising slide if Lamb drops this far. A few GMs believe he’s a top 7 or 8 talent. But his laid-back nature and so-so shooting ability have given some teams pause. If he went 10 spots higher I wouldn’t be surprised. But if he slipped this low I wouldn’t be shocked, either. With the Mavs looking to shore up young talent just about anywhere on their roster, Lamb is a great get at 17.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Wolves (via Jazz)	Dion Waiters	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 215 pounds Age: 20 School: Syracuse

Analysis: The Wolves’ biggest need is at the 2-guard spot right now. While I’m sure they’d prefer a better shooter, Waiters’ ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket should make him a coveted pick here. Like Moultrie, Waiters has been moving up draft boards the past few weeks. I could easily see him in the lottery by draft night.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Orlando	Meyers Leonard	Position: C Height: 7-foot Weight: 240 pounds Age: 20 School: Illinois

Analysis: The Magic are in serious danger of losing Dwight Howard in the next year. Leonard is a far cry from Howard, but he’s big, he’s athletic and he has shown some raw promise, especially on the defensive end.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Denver	Quincy Miller	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 210 pounds Age: 19 School: Baylor

Analysis: The Nuggets don’t have any real glaring needs right now, which gives them the luxury of taking the best player left on the board. Had Miller stayed in school another year, he would’ve likely been a top 10 pick in 2013. He’s great value here.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston	Fab Melo	Position: C Height: 7-foot Weight: 274 pounds Age: 21 School: Syracuse

Analysis: The Celtics are in desperate need of size. While Melo is miles away from being ready, he is big and can block shots and rebound. If he stays focused and in shape, he could be good value here.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Boston (via Clippers)	Royce White	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 240 pounds Age: 20 School: Iowa State

Analysis: White is an enigma. He’s clearly one of the most talented players in the draft, but concerns about an anxiety disorder and fear of flying will lower his stock. Celtics president Danny Ainge hasn’t been afraid to gamble in the past and White could be worth the risk at this point in the draft.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Atlanta	Tony Wroten Jr.	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 205 pounds Age: 18 School: Washington

Analysis: The Hawks have been cursed at the point guard position ever since they decided to pass on Chris Paul to draft Marvin Williams. Wroten is no CP3, but he may have the most talent of any point guard in the draft. He’s big, he’s athletic and he can get to the basket. If his shot wasn’t broken and if he had a better rep as a teammate, he’d be a top 10 pick.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Cavs (via Lakers)	Moe Harkless	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-8 Weight: 190 pounds Age: 18 School: St. John’s

Analysis: Harkless reminds me a little of Trevor Ariza. He is a terrific scorer and defender who needs to get a more settled jump shot. Put him on the floor with Kyrie Irving, Brad Beal, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao and the Cavs suddenly have a team that should be fighting for the playoffs again.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Memphis	Jeff Taylor	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 225 pounds Age: 22 School: Vanderbilt

Analysis: Taylor is an elite athlete who can defend multiple positions. And this year he added a jump shot to top things off. With O.J. Mayo likely out the door, he’s a good replacement.

 

 

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Indiana	Marquis Teague	Position: PG Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 178 pounds Age: 19 School: Kentucky

Analysis: Not only do the Pacers need more help at the point, but Teague is an Indy native who would be a great get here. He’s not the pure point guard the Pacers really need, but he can push the ball effectively, get to the basket and create problems as a defender.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Miami	Draymond Green	Position: SF Height: 6-foot-6 Weight: 235 pounds Age: 22 School: Michigan State

Analysis: The Heat need players with experience who excel in bringing out the best in their teammates. Green can be a point-forward type who does a little of everything. Think of him as a better-passing Udonis Haslem.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Oklahoma City	Evan Fournier	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-7 Weight: 206 pounds Age: 19 School: France

Analysis: This draft is pretty thin on international players, with Fournier the only player with a serious shot at landing in the first round. He’s a scorer who is putting up impressive numbers in Europe at a young age, making him a nice pick-and-stash prospect for the Thunder.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Chicago	Doron Lamb	Position: SG Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 195 pounds Age: 20 School: Kentucky

Analysis: The Bulls are always looking for shooters and would have a tough decision between Lamb and Vandy’s John Jenkins here. Both are lights out from long range, but I give Lamb the nod because he has a little more versatility than Jenkins.

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER	VITALS
	Golden State (via Spurs)	Andrew Nicholson	Position: PF Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 222 pounds Age: 22 School: St. Bonaventure

Analysis: Nicholson has gotten dramatically better every season and has some David West to his game. He would be a good fit in Golden State as a backup to David Lee.

 

 

Next five in: John Jenkins, Festus Ezeli, Tyshawn Taylor, Scott Machado, Will Barton

 

[HaleParticipant]

Interesting. PJIII at 7, Henson at 9 and Lamb at 17 came as a bit of a surprise to me.

[TheDagger40Participant]

I love Draymond Green as player, but I still don’t understand why the Heats would draft him there. I see them going for a center like Ezeli or Melo

[RICO 1981Participant]

I think Lamb would be a better fit in OKC than the french guy and would be a good fit in ATL too.   

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

 Beal is shooting up everyones draft boards as of late

[GTS 23Participant]

the celtics are getting taller with melo and add a lot of depth with royce white at 3. but if moe harkless is avalaible i would take him. he has more potential than royce white. 

[GlenTaylorSucksParticipant]

How good a fit would Quincy Miller be with the Wolves? Can he knock down open 3’s and defend well? Pretty much anyone would be better than Wes Johnson at the 3 at this point…Not gonna lie, I don’t want Waiters with the Wolves. He’d be too much of a defensive liability and he’s too ball dominant IMO.

I think the Wolves should either package one of their youngun’s with their draft pick, and trade up for Jeremy Lamb or Terrence Ross, or trade down and get Doron Lamb, Jeff Taylor, or John Jenkins.

[joecheck88Participant]

 If Jeremy Lamb or Terrence Ross are the for the Rockets I think they grab them. They don’t have a legit SG after KMart. They have Lee but I believe he is RFA and may leave. Plus I think Martin may be on his way out. Then with their next pick probably best big available. 

[Author]

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