NBA Draft Lottery 2012: Brooklyn Nets Banking on Draft Odds to Get Dwight Howard

We've been here before.

Let's go back to the 2003 NBA Draft lottery, where the fate of many of the league's worst franchises, including the Memphis Grizzlies, hung in the balance. 

Nobody who watched it could ever forget the beady-eyed look on GM Jerry West's face. Down to the last two teams, it was an all-or-nothing situation for the Grizzlies—the team had traded its 2003 pick a couple years ago back in a questionable deal for Otis Thorpe. However, this pick was "top-pick protected."

If Memphis drew one, they would not have had to fulfill their trade obligations, kept the No.1 pick and gotten LeBron James. If they drew two, the pick was unprotected, and they would give it up to the Detroit Pistons.

Of course, Cleveland drew the first choice, and Memphis ended up with Marcus Banks, Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones. Ouch.

Fast forward to 2012. The Brooklyn Nets are not quite in the same situation, but in a similar one where the future of franchise is completely up to the lottery gods. 

Now, Magic owner Rich DeVos and the upper management in Orlando are completely disgusted and through with the Dwight Howard drama. Chris Sheridan reports that they await the results of the draft lottery to see what this means for their trade market. 

How is this similar to West's ordeal?

First off, the Nets have a 25 percent chance of landing in the top three of the draft. Like the Griz nine years ago, the Nets were frustrated with their losing and wanted a quick-fix by getting a blue-chip veteran. 

So, the Nets gave up a "top-three protected" pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for Gerald Wallace, a quality player but not somebody that turns around the franchise. 

Basically, if the lottery gods decide to go with the odds and the Nets do not get in the top three of the draft, their pick gets traded, just like what happened with West and Memphis. 

This time, it's not about LeBron. It's about the fact that if the Nets have a top three pick, that gives them a valuable trade chip to get Howard.

If you're Orlando, wouldn't you jump at the chance to get rid of Howard's soap opera for a sign-and-trade with Brook Lopez (to get the salaries closer) and the chance to select somebody like an Andre Drummond, Harrison Barnes or a Michael Kidd-Gilchrist? Maybe the Nets throw in a couple of future picks to sweeten the pot.

By the way, Howard would absolutely sign an extension if Deron Williams stays, and this is the big-city market he has always wanted.

It's not quite as simple as a 50/50 chance for LeBron James. But a Dwight-Deron combo is what the Nets stand to lose. 25/75.

Hey Mikhail and Jay-Z, you like those odds?