NBA Rumors: Hottest Storylines Ahead of the Draft

The 2012 NBA draft class has been heralded as one that is incredibly deep, but all 30 teams around the league need to formulate a plan before the selection process arrives.

Some teams like the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats need a whole lot of help, while others like the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies have a fantastic foundation and impressive depth.

Looking forward to the draft, there are a ton of storylines waiting to be played out, and it will be fun to watch to see how each develops.

Let's take a look at where your favorite team stands.

Charlotte Bobcats: How Will Michael Jordan Impact the Draft?

There has been a ton of chatter about Jordan's inability to put together a winning franchise, and it isn't going away now that his Bobcats finished the season 7-59.

In an exclusive interview with the Charlotte Observer, Jordan denied that he has a bunch of "yes" men and brushed off the notion that his team didn't meet expectations.

He needs to prove to a lot of people that the Bobcats aren't doomed to be terrible forever, but there is only room to improve here.

Milwaukee Bucks: What's Going to Happen with Scott Skiles?

Scott Skiles has a reputation for being a tough coach to play for, but how much longer will his players be working under his tutelage?

Bucks beat writer Gery Woelfel tweeted that Skiles will discuss his future with the team, and a decision is expected to be made before much time elapses.

It will certainly be interesting to see who replaces Skiles if he gets shown the door, as there are going to be a lot of moving parts in Milwaukee this summer.

Chicago Bulls: Is Omer Asik Done in Chicago?

Asik is a restricted free agent this summer, and despite not playing a ton of minutes for Chicago, he'll be a valued commodity on the open market.

As someone who appears ready to take on a larger role, Asik will draw interest from a number of teams, and the Cleveland Cavaliers may already have him on the radar.

He's certain to get a large pay raise, and it's hard to imagine a scenario where the Bulls give him a lucrative offer.

The team could look to target a replacement through the draft at the back end of the first round.

Cleveland Cavaliers: How Do Cavs Replace Antawn Jamison's Veteran Leadership?

Jamison has already said that he won't be returning to the Cavaliers.

Regardless of where he next plays, the Cavs must target a veteran leader (or two) to pair with the young talent in the locker room.

Anderson Varejao is a good start, but Cleveland needs to bring in at least one more productive mentor who is capable of contributing both on and off the floor.

The team is in great shape for the upcoming draft, but the Cavs should also be active in free agency.

Boston Celtics: How Will Avery Bradley's Emergence Impact Draft Plans?

Ray Allen is looking less and less likely to return to Boston after the season, and that is (in part) due to the dynamic play of Avery Bradley.

With the Celtics having two first-round draft picks, the area of focus should be upgrading on the wing so both Bradley and Rajon Rondo have teammates capable of matching their speed up and down the floor.

It's possible that Boston looks for a backup behind Paul Pierce, but adding a big man with athleticism should be another focus considering how thin the C's stand up front.

Los Angeles Clippers: The Need to Sign Chris Paul to a Long-Term Extension

Carmelo Anthony thinks his good friend Chris Paul will sign a long-term extension with the Clippers.

That's a good thought, but when will it become a priority item for the team? It can't come soon enough.

Paul is under contract through the 2012-13 season, but as a player who has transformed the culture of a bottom-feeding franchise, Los Angeles should be drawing up the paperwork as soon as possible to give CP3 a maximum extension.

It's possible Paul might want to wait to sign, but the Clippers should be looking to secure a long-term commitment as soon as humanly possible.

Memphis Grizzlies: How Will Grizzlies Replace O.J. Mayo's Offense?

It seems like a certainty that O.J. Mayo will be playing basketball elsewhere next season.

After almost being traded to Boston at the deadline, the Grizzlies have now swung and missed on potential Mayo deals in two consecutive seasons.

What does it mean? Memphis is clearly prepared for the post-Mayo era.

The team will look to replace his instant offense, but it's unlikely that a player of his caliber will be available to the club.

Miami Heat: Stop the Eddy Curry Project, Find a Real Center

Memo to Miami: the Eddy Curry experiment is failing. Let's all move on.

Curry said he was uncertain about his future with the Heat, and that should come as good news for the team; it's time this franchise locks up a real center.

There are obviously salary cap constraints with the "Big Three" in tact, but as we've seen previously, veteran players are willing to take a pay cut to join the Heat and have a shot at a title.

Miami has to upgrade in the middle.

Atlanta Hawks: What Does the Future Hold for Josh Smith?

Josh Smith has found himself in trade rumors throughout the season, but the Hawks came out earlier this season and denied he was being shopped.

But will Atlanta consider dealing him for the right price? It's certainly a question worth asking.

Smith will be in the final season of his contract next season, and it's definitely possible that the Hawks will use his expiring contract to maximize his value on the trade market.

If Atlanta does decide to deal Smith, the team must get an impressive haul in return.

New Orleans Hornets: Weighing Risk vs. Reward in Re-Signing Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon missed a ton of time this season with a knee injury, and then he was limited down the stretch by a back injury.

However, he was the key cog in the Chris Paul trade, and it's imperative that the team re-signs him.

New Orleans can match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent this summer, and even if it seems like a pricey investment, it's one that the New Orleans franchise has to make.

Now backed by a stable owner in Tom Benson, the Hornets should be building around Gordon for years to come.

A talent like Gordon is worth taking the risk on, and New Orleans would be hard-pressed to find another player like him who would be a realistic option.

Utah Jazz: Is Devin Harris the Long-Term Answer at Point Guard?

Devin Harris' impressive second half turnaround has fueled Utah's playoff push, but is this the real version of Harris?

His name had been brought up in trade rumors again this season, and he's certainly a candidate to be dealt once again in the offseason.

Utah needs to make a decision as to whether or not this is the guy to run Tyrone Corbin's offense, but Harris' inconsistent play makes it difficult to evaluate what he really brings to the table.

The Jazz need to have a clear picture of where Harris fits in by draft day.

Sacramento Kings: It's Time to Make a Decision on Tyreke Evans

It's incredibly rare for a player of Evans' age and skill to show up in trade rumors, but it seems as Sacramento is willing to listen to offers for his services.

By no means does this indicate that the Kings will actively explore a trade for Evans, but it's interesting that a player who was once considered the face of the franchise can already be had in the right deal.

If the Kings plan to keep Evans, that's great. However, if Sacramento wants to move on, it's something that needs to be decided on as soon as possible so the team can actually have a cohesive rebuilding plan in place.

New York Knicks: Stop Chasing Phil Jackson, Focus on the Team

How many times do we have to hear Phil Jackson's name in the same sentence as the New York Knicks?

It's become an exhausting topic, and the rumors continue to recklessly fly around about his potential return to the coaching ranks.

Although a report out of Milwaukee suggests the Knicks could make a $50 million bid for Jackson this summer, the Knicks should be focusing on the roster and building a constantly competitive team rather than chasing Jackson to become the head coach.

Mike Woodson has done a great job since taking over for Mike D'Antoni, and the impact he's had on transforming the defense needs to be fully recognized.

Los Angeles Lakers: Re-Signing Ramon Sessions to a Long-Term Deal

Sessions has been more than the Lakers could have hoped for since acquiring him from Cleveland, and the young point guard has no questions about where he'd like to play next season.

Although he's expected to opt out of his current deal, Sessions said definitively that he wants to re-sign in Los Angeles and remain with the Lakers for a long time.

The Lakers do not have the financial flexibility to start messing around in free agency, and re-signing Sessions should be a priority for Mitch Kupchak in the offseason.

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard, Obviously

What's going to happen with Dwight Howard?

It's been the story all season long this year for the Magic, and it's not going to change next season.

The reason?

Howard will reportedly ask for another trade this summer in an attempt to get out of Orlando, and it's likely that this is not the last we hear about this particular topic.

It's time for the front office in Orlando to sit down and make a firm determination as to what to do with Howard.

It's time to stop letting Howard hold the franchise hostage.

Dallas Mavericks: Is Deron Williams Coming to Town?

The worst kept secret of the offseason is that the Mavericks plan to make a hard push for Williams.

We've known this for quite some time, but now that New Jersey's season is over, this is a story that will gain traction and be a hot topic until D-Will decides his next destination.

The Nets have remained confident that Williams will return to the fold, but the Mavericks will certainly pursue him aggressively, and Mark Cuban will offer him whatever he can to come play for his team.

The Mavericks cleared a ton of cap space before this year to accommodate a possible Williams signing, so Cuban is not going to be happy if he doesn't land his man.

New Jersey Nets: What's the Plan If Deron Williams Leaves?

Williams discussed his upcoming free agency when the Nets closed their season out, and he gave a very telling comment to the New York Daily News.

"I want to win. That's first and foremost."

Translation: I don't want to go through another rebuilding season.

The Nets will have to do some seriously impressive things in order to have a chance of retaining Williams for the long haul, but stranger things have certainly happened.

New Jersey gave up a ton to acquire Williams, so this team is going to have to start from scratch if he leaves.

Denver Nuggets: Big Bucks Coming for JaVale McGee?

McGee being traded to Denver was one of the most surprising deadline deals this season, and the Nuggets have been able to get a good look at him before he hits restricted free agency.

Although McGee said that he wouldn't mind returning to Denver, it's hard to imagine the Nuggets giving him the lucrative contract he may be in search of at this time.

Prior to being traded, ESPN's Chris Broussard reported that McGee could be in search of around $14 million per season.

That is an absurd annual salary for McGee, and the Nuggets will have to determine just how much he's worth.

Detroit Pistons: Ben Gordon or Charlie Villanueva for Amnesty Clause?

No decisions have been made by the Pistons in terms of using the amnesty clause, but it's hard to envision the team not utilizing it this season.

Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva are the two prime suspects, and although the latter is more heavily speculated to get the axe, it could very well be Gordon who is gone.

Gordon has not lived up to the five-year, $55 million contract he signed as a free agent and the Pistons have a young backcourt with Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey both on the roster.

India Pacers: If Larry Bird Leaves, Who Replaces Him?

Larry Bird's potential resignation from Indiana's front office has been floating around this season, but Bird continues to insist that no final decision has been made.

Bird has built the Pacers into a solid team, so if he does decide to retire after the season, how will the team replace him?

Perhaps Donnie Walsh would be interested in taking over his post, but the importance of what Bird has done for this Indiana team simply can't be stressed enough.

Houston Rockets: How Can the Rockets Add a Star?

Remember when the Rockets almost acquired Gasol before the season began? That was a fun thought.

Could it be a reality in the future?

Houston really wants to land a star to build a team around, and although Gasol obviously fits that description, the Rockets will explore all options before pursuing its next target.

The Rockets won't be finding a star in the draft, so look for Houston to be active in trade talks as the offseason gets under way.

Philadelphia 76ers: If Lou Williams Opts Out, How Does That Impact Second Unit?

Williams has been a spark off the bench for the Sixers in recent seasons, but could Philadelphia lose its sixth man after this year?

Beat writer John Mitchell has been informed that the point guard will exercise his early termination option and become a free agent, and it will be very interesting to see what type of contract he commands on the open market.

Several teams will be intrigued by his scoring potential, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him moving on to a new team willing to give him a solid multi-year commitment.

Phoenix Suns: Replacing Steve Nash

Nash has made no secret that he'd like to go to a winning team when he hits free agency this summer, and for that reason, it's hard to see him returning to Phoenix.

More than likely, the veteran will target a title contender with a hole at the point guard position, and he'll look to finish his career out by competing for a championship.

Phoenix will need to either commit to Aaron Brooks (restricted free agent) or make overtures to another free agent point guard to usher in the post-Nash era.

Oklahoma City Thunder: James Harden or Serge Ibaka?

Sam Presti can say all he wants that he'd like to retain both Harden and Ibaka, but that's going to be incredibly hard to do given what each will command when eligible for an extension.

No disrespect to Ibaka or what he brings on the defensive side of the ball, but Harden is really creeping up the shooting guard ranks and is turning himself into an incredibly efficient player in this league.

There are a ton of teams that would love to have Harden to build around, and the if Oklahoma City can lock him up long term, it's time we start talking about the new "Big Three."

Minnesota Timberwolves: Satisfying Kevin Love's Desire to Improve

Love has already said that he wants to see improvements to the Timberwolves roster, and it's hard to blame him for making that comment.

The most important thing for David Kahn, Rick Adelman and the front office to understand is that the goal should be to keep Love for as long as humanly possible.

Surround him with talent, not potential. Bring in motivated players who want to win.

Now that Minnesota has something "attractive" to offer in the pairing of Love and Ricky Rubio, the Timberwolves will be a more attractive destination for free agents moving forward.

Portland Trail Blazers: Re-Signing Nicolas Batum

It didn't even take until the end of the season for the first report to emerge that a competing team is targeting Nicolas Batum.

That team? The San Antonio Spurs, according to Chris Haynes of Comcast SportsNet Northwest.

Even if it's at a price of $10 million per season, the Trail Blazers need to do whatever it takes to retain the promising young swingman.

The restricted free agent is a key part of turning around Portland's future.

Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas' Importance for the Future

Jonas Valanciunas is really good. He's also a huge part of anything Toronto does in the future.

How good is he? It's already been suggested that he could win the 2013 Rookie of the Year Award despite the fact he's yet to play a game for the Raptors.

Pairing Andrea Bargnani with Valanciunas on the frontline would create a serious matchup problem for several Eastern Conference foes, and the Raptors could be talked about in a very different breath by the time next season rolls around.

San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan's Contract Is Up After the Year

An underrated topic of discussion is that Tim Duncan's contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

It's near impossible to imagine Duncan playing in any other uniform other than San Antonio's, and the Spurs will likely look to sew up a new deal for him as soon as possible.

He's not going to be making a huge sum of money at this stage in his career, but it would be a major surprise if Duncan decided to leave a franchise he's spent his entire career with to this point.

It wouldn't be a shock to see the team attempt to pull of a savvy draft selection and grab another big man, but Duncan's time in the starting five hasn't concluded in San Antonio.

Golden State Warriors: Getting Stephen Curry Healthy

Curry's troublesome ankle put a huge hamper on his 2011-12 campaign, and he'll be playing with a chip on his shoulder next season to prove he hasn't lost a step.

Fortunately for the Warriors, Curry doesn't have structural damage in his ankle, but he did recently undergo another surgery which will sideline him for three to four months.

Without much flexibility both in free agency and the draft, the Warriors need Curry to emerge as the best player on the team and lead with his play on the floor next season.

Washington Wizards: Amnesty Andray Blatche, Improve Through the Draft

Nothing against Andray Blatche, but when you show up out of shape, unprepared to play and offer nothing to a youthful team that needs you, it's probably time to take your act elsewhere.

Although GM Ernie Grunfeld did not dismiss the possibility of Blatche returning to the club next year, it's probably in the best interest of both parties to file for divorce.

The Wizards should use the amnesty clause on Blatche's horrendous contract, and then the team must make the right pick when it's time to do so on draft day.

Bottom line: it's time to get some help for John Wall.