2012 NBA Draft

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Davis is a gifted defensive big man who can run all day. His offense remains raw, but with his work ethic, high basketball IQ and athleticism, it will come around. This guy is the next Tim Duncan. It's up to the Hornets to get him some talented teammates.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Kidd-Gilchrist is a great athlete whose defense is ahead of his offense at this point. He is a good scorer but not necessarily a good shooter. The Bobcats need a massive infusion of talent, and Kidd-Gilchrist is a good start.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Wizards need a shooting guard and Beal should fit nicely. He is not an elite athlete, but he is a solid all-around player with a high basketball IQ. He is an excellent rebounder, has a nice mid-range game and can finish at the rim. Thursday was his 19th birthday.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Waiters, who left school after his sophomore season, shot up draft boards late in the process. He is physical and tough, and can knock down outside shots as well as muscle his way into the lane. He should fit nicely with Cavs PG Kyrie Irving.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Robinson is a gifted athlete who is a good scorer and rebounder, especially on defense. He is a willing defender, too. One question, though: Can he play alongside DeMarcus Cousins? Neither is a perimeter guy.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Blazers need everything, and Lillard gives them an athletic, sweet-shooting point man. He is a good scorer who also is an efficient shooter and has big-time range. An Oakland native, he’s also a tough, gritty defender.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Barnes didn’t live up to his immense high school hype while at UNC, but he still is a gifted offensive talent, which is something the Warriors need at small forward. Barnes is a good athlete who has 3-point range and a developed mid-range game, but a perceived lack of toughness is something to keep an eye on in the NBA.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Ross went much higher than most expected. He is athletic and offense-minded, and the Raptors need scorers. He is 6-foot-6, but needs to add weight (he’s only 190) and strength. Can he play defense against NBA perimeter guys?

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Drummond is a big-time boom-or-bust guy. He is athletic and a good shot-blocker, but he didn’t rebound or score as well as expected in his lone season with UConn, and his consistency and motivation were questioned. Can he and Pistons big man Greg Monroe co-exist? Detroit may regret passing on a perimeter player.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Hornets try to start putting good players around Anthony Davis by taking another college freshman. Rivers has a high basketball IQ (not surprising, considering his dad) and knows how to score. But his outside shooting is spotty, he’s not overly athletic and he needs to gain weight and strength.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Blazers took Leonard with their second lottery selection. Leonard is athletic, especially for a guy who is 7-1, but he has a ways to go before he can be a legitimate NBA contributor. He lacked consistency with the Illini and wasn’t as good a rebounder or scorer as he should've been with that athleticism.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Lamb is a smooth offensive player who can hit the 3-pointer, score with his mid-range shot and finish in the lane. But he never seemed to have any consistency this past season as a sophomore. He needs to add weight, and you wonder if he can play NBA-caliber defense.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Suns could lose PG Steve Nash, and Marshall is the best point man in this draft. He is an incredibly gifted passer and ran an up-tempo offense at UNC. He began looking for his shot more late in the season, but he will never be a big scorer. He should annually be among the NBA leaders in assists.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Bucks needed size and Henson is a big guy who is an excellent shot-blocker and a solid rebounder. But his lack of bulk (he is 6-11 but weighs about only 215 pounds) has to be worrisome. He has a limited offensive game, too. He was the third UNC player to go in the lottery.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: He will be an NBA small forward but spent a lot of time out of position as a power forward in his one season at St. John’s. He is a good athlete who does a nice job on the boards and on defense. He needs to improve his outside shot.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: An extremely intriguing prospect. He has a good all-around game and is an unreal ball-handler and passer for a 260-pounder. He’s not a great shooter but he does know how to score. He also has been candid about some personal issues, including his fear of flying.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: He’s the first senior selected in the draft and was the first pick dealt Thursday. Zeller gives the Cavs a big man who can run the floor. He has some offensive skills but already may be close to his ceiling. Still, while he doesn’t have the look of a future All-Star, he does have the skills and size that should allow him to be a solid contributor for a while.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Jones can make an impact on both ends of the floor with his athleticism, size and strength. He can hit the 12-footer and also bang away in the low post. But he lacked consistency at Kentucky and disappeared for big stretches at times.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Nicholson, a Canadian, flew under the radar for most of his career until he led the Bonnies to the NCAA tourney as a senior. He’s physical and athletic, but can he hit the outside shot with enough regularity to be a perimeter player? He’s a good shot-blocker and knows how to get to the line.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: He is the first international player taken in this draft. Fournier, 19, is considered a solid offensive player who can score in the lane. Consistency from long range is considered a question, and he definitely has a reputation as a finesse guy.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: He could prove to be a steal for the aging Celtics; then again, a balky back may wreck his career. Sullinger is a bull in the low post and is an excellent rebounder. He’s not a great athlete, which could hurt on defense in the NBA, but he has a high basketball IQ to make up for that.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Celtics need size, and Melo certainly helps in that regard. He is a good shot-blocker, but his offense has a long way to go. He’s also not as good a rebounder as he should be for a guy his size. Big question: Can Melo be an effective man-to-man defender?

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: You never can have enough perimeter shooters, and Jenkins is the best pure shooter in this draft. His shooting stroke should be filmed and shown to every young player in the nation. He has great range and is money from the line. His defense and ball-handling are concerns, but, man, he can shoot.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Cunningham is a scorer, even if he is not necessarily a great shooter. He has a solid mid-range game and is good at drawing contact and getting to the line. While his outside shooting is suspect, his athleticism makes him a worthy choice at this spot.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Wroten, who left Washington after his freshman season, oozes athleticism. He is a bricklayer from the outside, but he can get into the lane and finish at the rim against almost anybody. He can be out of control at times, but he’s a good passer and should be an effective backup for Mike Conley.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Plumlee was a solid complementary player with Duke, which means he should fit right in with the all-for-one-and-one-for-all Pacers. Plumlee is a good rebounder, has a high basketball IQ and had an incredible 40.5-inch vertical leap at the Chicago pre-draft camp. His offense is lacking, though.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Moultrie is an athletic big man who can score and rebound. He was a bit lackadaisical as a sophomore at UTEP, but was far more forceful in his one season at Mississippi State. He’s a good free-throw shooter, but his motivation was questioned at times last season. Then again, some of his teammates were dogs. He will be dealt to the Sixers for two draft picks, according to Y! Sports' Marc J. Spears.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Dallas-area native, who left school after his sophomore season, is an incredibly athletic big man. At times, he seems unstoppable on both ends, and he can play the 3, 4 and 5. But at other times, he coasts and just doesn’t seem to care. If he can be motivated, he is a steal this late in the first round.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Teague is an athletic point man who will provide insurance for Derrick Rose. He is not a consistent shooter and doesn’t always make the best decisions. But he can get into the paint and he’s an OK passer. His brother, Jeff, plays for Atlanta.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Ezeli should help a Golden State squad that needs big bodies. He is athletic, a good rebounder and a good shot-blocker, but his offense remains raw. He understands his offensive limitations, though, and should be a serviceable big man off the bench.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Taylor, who went to high school in New Mexico, was a four-year starter at Vandy. He is a good athlete who does most everything well, though he has trouble creating his own shot. He has 3-point range, is a good rebounder and has some defensive skills. He often disappeared at inopportune times in big games.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Satoransky, 21, is a native of the Czech Republic who played in Spain last season. He’s a 6-7 point guard who has a nice handle. But his offense needs work and he likely won’t be in the NBA for a while. His defense is far short of NBA standards, too.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: James is 27 and spent six years in the Air Force, including two tours in the Middle East. He is a rugged, physical big man whose value comes on the boards and on defense. His offense isn’t much and probably never will be.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Crowder was the Big East player of the year last season, when he was one of the hardest workers in the nation. He is tough, physical, and has some offensive skills. He's also a rugged defender. His size (6-6) makes him a ‘tweener, but it’s hard to imagine him being outworked.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Green won’t wow you with his physical attributes, but somehow, someway, he always seemed to get the job done. He does nothing great but does everything well, thanks to a high basketball IQ. His lack of quickness and his ‘tweener size hurt him in the eyes of NBA scouts.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Johnson was one of the most productive offensive players in the nation last season. He has good size (6-5/225) and knows how to use it; he also has 3-point range and is a solid ball-handler and OK defender.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: He’s an extremely athletic big man, and is solid on the boards and as a passer. He is not a great shooter, though, and his size (6-7) makes him a ‘tweener of sorts. He works hard on both ends of the court, though.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Miller made a huge mistake leaving after his freshman season. He has a nice skills, but was overwhelmed at times by Big 12 competition. He needs to add weight, develop some consistency and learn how to be physical on defense. In time, though, this guy could become a solid NBA player.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Middleton had a great sophomore season, but struggled through an injury-marred junior season; he still turned pro, though. He is a good perimeter defender and knows how to rebound, but struggled mightily with his outside shot as a junior. The Pistons need perimeter scorers, but is Middleton a good enough shooter?

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Barton was Memphis’ leading scorer (18.0) and rebounder (8.0). He has struggled with his outside shot, but he has a solid mid-range game and knows how to score in the paint. He also needs to add weight and strength, but his athleticism is a big plus.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Taylor was a touted prep star who struggled during his career at KU, finally blossoming as a senior and helping lead the Jayhawks to the national title game. He’s a good defender, but he never developed a consistent outside shot. He has a nice feel for the game, though, and could become a solid reserve.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: The Bucks need some bigger guards and the 6-5 Lamb helps in that regard. He is an excellent shooter, with great range. But he’s sort of a one-trick pony. He’s not that athletic and that hurts. The flipside: That shooting ability is impressive.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Scott was one of the best players in the ACC and was the only consistent scorer for the Cavaliers, who made it to the NCAA tournament. Scott is a tough kid who can score in the low post and out to about 15 feet; he also is a good rebounder. But he lacks athleticism.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: English is a good shooter and thrives in an up-tempo attack; he also can be a pesky defender. But bigger NBA guards likely will overpower him and his size might mean he has to play the point, a position he seems ill-suited for.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Hamilton began his career at Iowa State before becoming a productive one-season player at LSU. He’s a big, physical guy who has some low-post moves, but he is slow and not that good a rebounder. He also shot less than 50 percent from the floor.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Every team needs a tough-minded glue guy, and that’s Miller. He is a physical and aggressive defender, yet has the quickness to stay with most small forwards. Miller also has a nice 3-point stroke. He was a role player in college and could become a valuable role player in the NBA off the bench.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: This was the Jazz’s only pick in the draft. Murphy has some offensive skills and can nail the 3-pointer. But his all-around game is lacking, and there’s no way he can survive in the NBA unless he adds weight and strength, and plays better defense.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Papanikolaou helped lead Olympiacos of the Greek League past CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague Championship game. He has the makings of a nice all-around perimeter player, but needs more seasoning overseas. His athleticism is a plus.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: O’Quinn became a household name (well, for those who watch the NCAA tourney, anyway) when he led Norfolk State past Missouri in a second-round shocker. He is a physical guy who can rebound and score in the low post. But he’s not that athletic and must get stronger.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Turkyilmaz is a 7-footer who plays for the Turkish national team. He is extremely raw (he averaged 9.2 minutes per game for his Turkish pro team), and is an athletic 21-year-old who is a long way from making an NBA impact.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Joseph was Syracuse’s leading scorer last season and has a nice offensive skills. He has 3-point range, but is most effective with his mid-range jumper. He also has the athletic ability to get into the lane and create contact. His defense is questionable and he’s not a good rebounder.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Kuzmic is a 7-1 Bosnian who played in Spain this season. He is a couple of years away from being NBA ready, mainly because he lacks strength and a well-rounded offensive game. But he is considered a good shot-blocker and rebounder, and he is relatively athletic.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Aldemir, who turns 21 in August, played pro ball in Turkey this season. He’s a grinder who lacks athleticism, but he can be effective in the low post as a scorer and, especially, a rebounder. He must develop a more sophisticated offensive game before he can play in the NBA.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Shengelia, who is from the Republic of Georgia and plays in Belgium, turns 21 in October. He is a good ball-handler, especially for a guy who is 6-9, and a solid rebounder. He’s athletic and active in the paint. But he is not a good shooter and must become a better defender.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Johnson-Odom averaged in double figures in both his seasons at Marquette after transferring in from a junior college. He is athletic, physical and can jump out of the gym; he also is a good shooter. His problem: He is 6-2 and can’t play the point. His intensity on both ends could help him land a roster spot, though.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Zubcic, 22, is a rail-thin (210 pounds) 7-footer who played in Croatia this season. He’s athletic and has nice offensive skills. Alas, he has to gain a lot of weight and add a lot of strength, and he also has to learn how to play defense. His offense, though, means he could eventually prosper in the NBA.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Karaman, who turned 22 last month, played for a Turkish pro team this season. He's a physical power forward who rebounds well but has a still-developing offensive game. His rebounding ability and intensity could eventually earn him an NBA roster spot.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Hummel was one of the best all-around players in the nation -- when healthy. But that has been a problem. He has had two ACL tears and also been bothered by a bad back. He is a good shooter and passer, and is a tenacious competitor.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Denmon was Mizzou’s leading scorer this season and is tough on the boards for a guy his size (6-3). But his size is a problem. He’s not a point guard, and that hurts his NBA stock. He has good range and is a solid defender, and those are traits that could help him make a roster.

Mike Huguenin's Analysis: Sacre was a productive big man for Gonzaga for three seasons, but perhaps not quite as productive as he should’ve been. Sacre is athletic and has a nice skill set, but he never has been a strong rebounder or that good a low-post scorer.