NBA Draft Lottery 2012: Hornets Finally Benefit from Nixed Chris Paul Trade

Basketball reasons were not working out so well for the New Orleans Hornets. Then the 2012 NBA draft lottery happened, and they went from No. 4 to No. 1 and will undoubtedly draft Kentucky's Anthony Davis.

Davis is easily the best player in this draft, and the only one you are likely to hear anyone describe as a franchise player. 

The position the Hornets used to jump up to No. 1 did not come from a trade, but it did come as a result of the trade that didn't happen. 

Had the original trade with the Lakers not been called off, the Hornets would have had a lineup that featured Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic and Lamar Odom (who might not have been as lost and depressed if things didn't unfold as they did). 

That is a solid lineup. One that would have pushed for playoff contention. In other words, the Hornets would not have occupied the same spot that netted them the first pick. In fact, it is very likely that they would not have been in the lottery at all. 

Now they have two picks. They also acquired Minnesota's first-round pick, which will be No. 10. 

The Hornets are now going to bring in Anthony Davis, and another serviceable young player with potential. 

Davis is obviously the key here. He turns around the entire future of this franchise, and the entire perception of that deal. 

The Hornets now have a young core with enough talent to build a championship contender around, and that was the goal all along.