NBA Draft 2012: Cleveland Cavaliers and Teams in Position to Improve Most

The NBA draft is very much like Christmas for many fans of the sport, as their favorite teams will unwrap new presents in the form of talented rookies who can change the course of the franchise.

While every team with picks in the draft are going to try to make improvements, there are some who will have an easier time due to multiple selections.

Having a couple of high picks as opposed to one doesn't guarantee success, but it certainly increases the odds since there are more chances of hitting on a player or two. Quite a few teams will have more than one first rounder this year as well as some early seconds. Because of that, many teams will have the opportunity to make great strides.

Here are three squads in particular that will be in position to make the biggest improvements in the draft heading into next season.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Since the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently in line to get the No. 3 pick in the draft if the lottery goes in order, it may not seem like they made great strides this season.

After a 2010-11 season in which they couldn't get out of their own way, though, there is reason to be optimistic. No. 1 selection Kyrie Irving was Rookie of the Year and looks like a legitimate superstar, so the Cavs have a great building block.

With the No. 3 pick, they will have a ton of options, but the most logical is Florida guard Bradley Beal. The Cavaliers have nothing next to Irving in the backcourt, but Beal would help form a dynamic duo with Irving.

They will also have the No. 24 pick by virtue of a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, and that should produce a versatile big like St. Bonaventure's Andrew Nicholson. They will also have the No. 33 and No. 34 picks in the second round and, if one them becomes a useful player, then Cleveland will be in excellent shape as early as next season.

Portland Trail Blazers

A lot was expected of the Portland Trail Blazers this season, as they have continually made strides over the past few years, but life after Brandon Roy wasn't all it was cracked up to be as the Blazers surprisingly missed the postseason.

Portland is currently in line to pick sixth and 11th in the first round, however, so there is the potential for it to nab two immediate starters or two important role players at the very least.

The Blazers badly need a point guard with the Raymond Felton experiment failing miserably, so they should turn to another North Carolina Tar Heel in Kendall Marshall. After that, the priority should be to select a big to complement LaMarcus Aldridge and that makes Ohio State center Jared Sullinger a solid pick at 11.

Two fairly early second rounders should supplement those early picks and give the Blazers the basis needed to make it back to the playoffs immediately.

Houston Rockets

Although the Houston Rockets have a very solid roster, they missed the playoffs this season and are left looking for answers. Players like Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin and Luis Scola form a nice core, but it needs to be bolstered by a bit more talent.

The Rockets are currently slated to pick 14th and 16th, so they should be able to get a couple useful pieces. The most pressing need is at center as the Rockets are looking for a replacement for the retired Yao Ming and while nobody can bring the same skill set to the table, North Carolina center Tyler Zeller would be a fine selection.

The Rockets rely a bit too heavily on their backcourt to do the bulk of the scoring, but Zeller is a seven-footer with great offensive ability around the basket, so he would be a major help.

After that, the Rockets have plenty of options, but my pick would be Kentucky forward Terrence Jones if he is still on the board at No. 16. Not only could he spell Scola at power forward, but he can also play a bit on the wing as well, so he would be a valuable role player.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter