NBA Lottery 2012: Why Draw Will Determine No. 2 Pick

Anthony Davis will be the No. 1 pick no matter who is selecting in that position. The NBA lottery, however, will determine who will be selected No. 2 in the draft. 

The candidates are obvious.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is a machine in transition and can legitimately guard four positions at the next level.

Thomas Robinson is the type of power forward you want on your team. He's the perfect combination of size, athleticism and energy. 

Andre Drummond is the project. He struggled in his only season at Connecticut, but he's a physical freak. He has athleticism and quickness that 6'11'', 270-pound guys should not have. 

Even Bradley Beal—the smooth, slashing shooting guard from Florida—is a candidate should the right team get the pick. 

You can find the date of the lottery and full odds here, now let's take a look at what teams will take who should they land the No. 2 pick.

Charlotte Bobcats: Thomas Robinson

After all that tanking and terrible play, it would be heart-breaking if Charlotte didn't get the No. 1 overall pick. 

That being said, they wouldn't mind getting T-Rob at No. 2.

The Bobcats can't afford to take on a project big man with 19-year-old Bismack Biyombo entrenched in the starting lineup, so Drummond is out.

So is Beal, because Gerald Henderson is suddenly a very good scorer when healthy. 

Corey Maggette is certainly replaceable, but he's on contract for another year. Since the Bobcats would be splitting hairs between Kidd-Gilchrist and Robinson, this would be enough to make them take a power forward. 

Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

As long as Jan Vesely continues to progress and stays at power forward, the Wizards' biggest positional need will be small forward.

That means Kidd-Gilchrist will be the pick. 

Bradley Beal would also be an intriguing option if the Wiz want to bring Jordan Crawford off the bench as an instant-offense sixth man. 

Cleveland Cavaliers: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

The Cavs have solid defensive options at power forward and center with Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao while Kyrie Irving is on his way to being an elite point guard.

That leaves shooting guard and small forward in need of help.

Kidd-Gilchrist—a better defensive player—is better for what Cleveland is putting together. 

New Orleans Hornets: Andre Drummond

The Hornets have plenty of areas of need.

New Orleans will eventually need a point guard to replace Jarrett Jack, a shooting guard should Eric Gordon leave in the summer and a consistent big man. 

With so many needs—which means they are still clearly rebuilding—and two lottery picks, expect the Hornets to go after the guy with the most upside.

That's Drummond. 

Sacramento Kings: Thomas Robinson

The Kings have a heck of a core with Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Thornton, Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. 

Those are all players with huge potential, but are still very erratic.

Robinson would instantly step into that starting lineup and be a steadying force. 

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