The Charlotte Bobcats aren’t quite sure what they want to do with the second pick in the 2012 NBA Draft — that is, if you believe the rumors spreading through league circles — and it’s possible they try to ship the pick for a lower pick along with a player or two. If that’s the case, then it’s impossible to predict where Thomas Robinson could go because the very next pick after the New Orleans Hornets is a wild card. That’s the conundrum for a mock draft analyst like ESPN’s Chad Ford.
Yet even in Ford’s latest, Robinson goes No. 2 overall to the Bobcats while he thinks through the possibilities. At issue, even if they keep the pick, is an in-house debate between Robinson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Ford writes, "Sources say Michael Jordan isn’t sold on building around the limited offensive arsenal of Kidd-Gilchrist, but the team also has questions about how high Robinson’s ceiling is. I think MKG is the second best prospect in the class, but it’s very close between him, Robinson and Bradley Beal. If the Bobcats keep the pick and take Robinson, they’d be getting a super-athletic, physical 4 who should be an instant upgrade over Tyrus Thomas and D.J. White."
Robinson would definitely work out well in Charlotte’s frontcourt given the presence of Bismack Biyombo there. Thomas, Robinson and Biyombo would give three young and athletic players underneath who could give the team a strong core to build on.
Of course, the Bobcats could trade out and all of this becomes a moot point. Such is life until draft day on June 28.