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What could be better than having a first-round pick in the exceptionally deep 2012 NBA Draft?
How about two?
Six teams are fortunate enough to find themselves with such riches on their hands this year. That's no guarantee of future success, of course, though it's certainly cause for added optimism in these six sports cities.
1. New Orleans Hornets: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
The Hornets were already slated for a dramatic draft with their own pick in the lottery and that of the Minnesota Timberwolves coming by way of the Chris Paul trade.
But thanks to the bounce of a few ping pong balls, New Orleans' date with destiny has the potential to be a transformative one with the presumed addition of Anthony Davis. The National Player of the Year was a defensive dynamo at Kentucky and is actually far more skilled offensively than he had the opportunity to show during his time in Lexington.
A classic late bloomer, Davis is already a phenomenal player but still has more upside than you could shake a stick at. An inside-out pairing of Davis and a healthy Eric Gordon could propel the Hornets back to respectability in short order.
2. Charlotte Bobcats: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
The Bobcats have too many needs to count, hence their abysmal 7-59 record this past season.
But scoring was a massive problem for Charlotte, and Bradley Beal has the skill, shooting ability and sheer athleticism to put the ball in the basket in bunches.
3. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
MKG is still rather rough around the edges as a prospect, but his upside and intangibles are strong enough to suggest that he'll be a special player before long. He brings the sort of winning mindset that the Wizards need in the post-JaVale/Swaggy P era, and should serve as a superb running-mate for John Wall on the wing.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
The wing is the thing for the Cavaliers, who were dropped from third to fourth on account of New Orleans' momentous move up in the lottery. They were already thin at shooting guard and small forward with Anthony Parker and Alonzo Gee, and will be even more so with those two off to free agency.
Harrison Barnes should be able to fill one of those two, regardless. He may not be the transcendent talent that he was once touted as, but that doesn't mean he won't still be a solid NBA player, if not better. Barnes can shoot, he can defend, he's fairly athletic and he has a good head on his shoulders.
What's more, he also happens to be close with Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving from their days playing against each other on the AAU circuit and on Tobacco Road. Think they'd make a nice pairing on the fastbreak?
5. Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
The Kings could gamble on a boom-or-bust guy like Andre Drummond here.
But seeing as how they already have one headcase (DeMarcus Cousins) at center, they'll opt instead for Thomas Robinson, a relatively late bloomer who happens to be a productive and explosive athlete in his own right. He'll give the Kings some leeway to do fiddle with Jason Thompson.
6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Nets): Andre Drummond, C, Connecticut
It's painful to project Portland picking another big man this high in the draft, especially one who's as risky as Andre Drummond seems to be.
But Drummond's issues have nothing to do with injuries. His biggest issue appears to be one of consistency, whether he'll put in the work and bring the effort needed to maximize his potential on a nightly basis.
Then again, it's tough to fault Drummond too much for his perceived troubles at UConn given how tumultuous the situation was in Storrs this past year.
All told, a 6'11", 275-pound behemoth with surprising skill and an intimidating defensive presence may be too much for the Blazers to pass up, even with Greg Oden still so visible in the rear view.
7. Golden State Warriors: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Adding an undersized power forward like Jared Sullinger may create something of a redundancy on the Warriors' roster with David Lee already getting paid the big bucks and all.
But Golden State could sorely use some low-post scoring, especially if they're ever going to convert to the half-court, defensive-minded style that head coach Mark Jackson seems to covet.
Not that Sullinger is in any way a defensive dynamo, though his potential as "Kevin Love Light" is enticing nonetheless. Like the Timberwolves' All-Star, Sullinger is a load down low with an adept understanding of how to throw around his weight and a developing ability to operate from the perimeter.
8. Toronto Raptors: Jeremy Lamb, SG, Connecticut
Per Doug Smith of The Toronto Star, the Raptors might opt to move this pick amidst the excitement of luring 2011 draftee Jonas Valanciunas to the Canadian metropolis.
In the meantime, they could use a perimeter scorer, and Jeremy Lamb is precisely that.
9. Detroit Pistons: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Yin, meet Yang.
Greg Monroe, meet John Henson.
The ACC Defensive Player of the Year should serve as a solid, shot-blocking complement to Monroe in Detroit and can hit the occasional mid-range jumper to boot. Henson's still rail-thin at 6'10", 210 pounds, but he should grow into his lengthy frame in due time.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Damian Lillard, PG, Weber State
The Hornets would earn an A+++ for their draft efforts if they're able to pick up Anthony Davis, the top overall player, and Damian Lillard, the top point guard available.
The Weber state product isn't a pure point guard like UNC's Kendall Marshall, though his ball-handling skills and outside shooting ability should fit in well next to Davis and Eric Gordon.
And if Gordon, a restricted free agent, should opt for a massive offer sheet with, say, his hometown Indiana Pacers, then Lillard could easily slide into a role as a more dedicated scoring guard.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
With their frontline problems addressed, the Blazers turn their attention to the backcourt, from which Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford and Jonny Flynn are likely to escape via free agency.
Point guard, then, will be a priority for Portland, and there's none purer at the position in this draft than Kendall Marshall. The North Carolina star averaged 9.7 assists as a sophomore—an impressive number coming out of the collegiate ranks—and brings with him the sort of ball-handling ability, creativity and vision that most teams crave up top.
And, at 6'4", Marshall has superb size for a floor general, albeit with only average athleticism and an outside shot that could stand to improve.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor
PJ3 won't add much pure mass to a Bucks front court that lost Andrew Bogut to a trade and will see off Ersan Ilyasova in free agency.
But at this point in the draft, the Baylor product is far too talented to pass up, even if he might bottom out as the next Anthony Randolph.
13. Phoenix Suns: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Austin Rivers has the attitude, the fearlessness and the soft shooting stroke to be a star in the NBA. The son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers would be an excellent option at shooting guard if Steve Nash and Aaron Brooks return to Phoenix next season, and he can handle the ball well enough to fill in at point guard if they don't.
14. Houston Rockets: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
The Rockets should be solid at pretty much every spot except center next season, unless general manager Daryl Morey is actually content to start Samuel Dalembert there.
The availability of a skilled, athletic big man like Tyler Zeller should change his thinking.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State
Picking Arnett Moultrie over someone like Terrence Jones here would signal that the Sixers are drafting for need instead of going with the best player available.
But they could use some size, length and athleticism up front, and Moultrie just so happens to be one of the best rebounders in this draft class.
16. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
Houston should have solid depth at just about every position at this point, leaving the front office free to "gamble" on the most gifted kid left on the board.
In this case, that means Terrence Jones, who ironically enough would be left to fight for playing time with Patrick Patterson, his power-forward predecessor at Kentucky.
17. Dallas Mavericks: Dion Waiters, SG, Syracuse
The Mavs will have many needs to fill, though none more than at guard, assuming Jason Kidd retires and the team decides to part ways with Jason Terry.
Dion Waiters would be a terrific value pick here, with a frame and an attack-first game that remind many of a young Dwyane Wade.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves: Terrence Ross, SG, Washington
GM David Kahn's plug-and-play draft-day philosophy, along with the potential departure of Martell Webster and the heretofore failure of Wesley Johnson, make Terrence Ross an excellent fit in Minnesota. His jump shot is NBA-ready and comes equipped with the size and athleticism to grow into a bona fide star on the perimeter.
19. Orlando Magic: Meyers Leonard, C, Illinois
Meyers Leonard is no Dwight Howard, to say the least.
But even Superman was a project early on, like Leonard currently is. The Magic could do worse to start their next rebuilding endeavor than with another long, athletic big man.
20. Denver Nuggets: Moe Harkless, SF, St. John's
The Nuggets have the depth and flexibility to take whichever talent falls into their laps. At this point, that means Moe Harkless, an athletic wing with a knack for scoring and an ever-improving perimeter shot.
21. Boston Celtics: Fab Melo, C, Syracuse
The direction of the Celtics' offseason will likely depend on whether or not Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen return for another go-round.
In any case, the C's could use some size up front, and while still rather raw, Fab Melo is big enough to take up space in the middle, at the very least.
22. Boston Celtics (via Clippers): Andrew Nicholson, PF, St. Bonaventure
The C's swung and missed on David West in free agency back in December. Andrew Nicholson's size and shooting ability have cast him as something of a clone of the current Indiana Pacers player, which could make him attractive to GM Danny Ainge.
That's assuming, of course, that Ainge doesn't pull another draft-day trade stunt, for better (Jeff Green for Ray Allen, 2007) or worse (MarShon Brooks for JaJuan Johnson, 2011).
23. Atlanta Hawks: Jeffery Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt
It's strange to think, but the Hawks actually have holes to fill on the wing. They should like Jeffery Taylor's leaping ability, shutdown defense and much-improved shooting stroke.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Lakers): Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor
The wing is still the thing for the Cavs. They can afford to gamble on Quincy Miller here, hoping that his poor play as a freshman had more to do with inconsistent playing time in a crowded frontcourt and the lingering effects of an ACL injury. There's no doubting Miller's talent, though, and if he comes around, he could be an absolute steal for Cleveland's young core.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Evan Fournier, SF, Poitiers (France)
A lack of glaring needs and impending salary cap concerns put the Grizzlies in position to draft-and-stash an international prospect, and Evan Fournier is the best of the bunch in that regard.
26. Indiana Pacers: Marquis Teague, PG, Kentucky
The Pacers can go a number of different directions here, but Marquis Teague makes the most sense. He's a Naptown native at a position of need (point guard) who could free the Pacers to let George Hill walk and spend their money on someone else (i.e. Eric Gordon).
27. Miami Heat: Draymond Green, PF, Michigan State
The Heat need role players and, as a jack-of-all-trades-type forward, Draymond Green is capable of occupying more than one. His passing ability in the post and natural-born leadership would make him a welcome addition to Miami's second unit, as well.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder: Royce White, PF, Iowa State
Royce White is about as big a boom-or-bust prospect as you'll find in this year's draft, albeit on account of his at-times-crippling anxiety issues. The Thunder have the roster flexibility to take a chance on him at this point in the draft, though, and may come to relish his point-forward skills as a more gifted Jeff Green.
29. Chicago Bulls: Doron Lamb, SG, Kentucky
Shooting and balhandling have long been paramount for the Bulls, but will be even more important now that Derrick Rose will be out for an extended period of time. They'd do just as well to flip a coin between Doron Lamb and Vandy's John Jenkins at this point.
30. Golden State Warriors (via Spurs): Festus Ezeli, C, Vanderbilt
Without a small forward worth taking at this point in the draft, the Dubs opt instead to buy up some insurance for Andrew Bogut in the form of Vandy's Festus Ezeli.
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