clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Harrison Barnes Over Brad Beal At No. 4?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in Chicago this week scouting an array of prospects at the NBA's Combine. Rumors surfaced this week that the Cavs were zeroing in on Harrison Barnes with the No. 4 pick. Some speculate that they're so high on Barnes that they will take the UNC wing over Florida guard Brad Beal, who's considered a top three talent. Sean Deveney of Sporting News is among that group, projecting Barnes at No. 4 with Beal still on the board.


More: SB Nation's Tom Ziller Projects Harrison Barnes At No. 4


In his mock draft, he has Kansas forward Thomas Robinson going No. 2 to Charlotte, with Washington scooping up Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 3. That leaves Barnes for Chris Grant at No. 4:

4. Cleveland Cavaliers. Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina. Barnes might have gone No. 1 overall had he come out of school last year. Some scouts have cooled on him this year, though, as his numbers didn't show the dramatic improvement many hoped to see. But he still is a 6-8 athlete who can shoot.

With Barnes locked up at No. 4, Deveney thinks the Cavs take another small forward in Quincy Miller from Baylor with the Lakers' pick at No. 24:

24. Cleveland Cavaliers. Quincy Miller, SF, Baylor. It was generally believed that, without a big NCAA Tournament, Miller would go back to school for next season. Instead, he averaged 6.8 points on 35.5 percent shooting for the Bears, and still came out. He has talent, but isn't NBA-ready.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Cavaliers Draft, visit Fear The Sword. For more on the NBA Lottery and the 2012 Draft, check out SB Nation's NBA hub.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.