NBA Draft 2012: Which Teams Have the Most on the Line?

The annual NBA Draft is a night of high tensions and even higher expectations. Each team is looking for their franchise player from picks one to sixty, all in hopes of taking their team to the next level. Key word: Hope.

While we could pinpoint the teams in the bottom half of the draft as those with the most to lose, in most cases, they aren't. Some teams suffered from injuries, while others simply lack the experience and maturity to make it just yet. Even the Oklahoma City Thunder started off slow.

The question is, which team is the next OKC? Who will turn their misfortunes into riches? Most importantly, who has the most to lose?

Here's a list of the six teams with the most on the line come draft night.

6. Washington Wizards

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: First Round, Pick 2; Second Round, Picks 32 & 46 (via Mavericks)

The Washington Wizards took a major step in the right direction at the trade deadline, ridding themselves of low basketball IQ players Nick Young and JaVale McGee. While both proved to be solid players for their new teams, coming up big in respective playoff games, the Wizards are in fact a better team without them.

Now they have to replace them.

Landing a legitimate star in Nene was key to the Wizards' future, but his injury history must be acknowledged. This leaves the Wizards in dangerous territory, as John Wall could face yet another season in which he is the lone star on a very dim team.

Making the most of the draft, thus landing either a star or legitimate rotational player, could make the future a little bit brighter. Possessing three draft choices is not a bad place to start.

Projected Picks: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF (2); Kevin Jones, PF (32); Tomas Satoransky, SG/SF (46)

5. Los Angeles Lakers

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: Second Round, Pick 60

The Los Angeles Lakers were poised to make a splash in this year's deep crop of prospects, possessing two late first round draft choices. As the trade deadline came and went, however, Kobe's crew ended up with zero first round draft picks and two acquisitions who are both poised to hit free agency.

Quite a shift in momentum, wouldn't you say?

As the draft approaches, the Lakers have two chances to make things right. Either The Purple and Gold can land a diamond in the rough with the final pick of the draft, or they can trade up and sacrifice current players for prospective players.

I'm expecting the latter, as the Lakers receive their first opening round draft pick since they selected Toney Douglas in 2009, and instantly traded him away.

Every year is win a title or fail in Los Angeles. Time to build for the future and make sure the latter rarely happens again. 

Projected Picks: Robbie Hummel, SF (60)

4. Portland Trail Blazers

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: First Round, Picks 6 (via Nets) & 11; Second Round, Picks 40 (via Rockets) & 41

Some will acknowledge the talent on this team's roster, which cannot be argued against. The fact of the matter is, this team has underachieved for nearly half a decade. When will enough be enough?

For the Portland Trail Blazers to find hope in the 2013 season it is pivotal that they retain the rights to their top three protected draft choices. This would leave Portland with two lottery picks, potentially landing two starters in the matter of one draft.

Talk about adding fresh legs to an old horse.

Projected Picks: Andre Drummond, C (6); Damian Lillard, PG (11) Tyshawn Taylor, PG (40); Jared Cunningham, SG (41)

3. Milwaukee Bucks

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: First Round, Pick 12; Second Round, Pick 42

If this team doesn't prove that they can win right now, they may lose big as Brandon Jennings hits free agency in 2013. All rests on a successful draft.

For the past three years, the Milwaukee Bucks have been considered by many to be a dark-horse playoff contender. For reasons one can't explain, the Bucks have never lived up to that moniker and continually miss out on the postseason. The final cry for right-now glory came when the Bucks traded franchise center Andrew Bogut, who year-by-year suffered from season-ending injuries, for the high-scoring Monta Ellis.

Even with the addition of some much needed scoring, the Bucks just couldn't close the season out.

For the Bucks' current group to thrive, it will need to occur in year one. The addition of two young players will be a key to their future, especially as Ersan Ilyasova hits free agency. A big draft for Milwaukee may keep their franchise point guard in uniform.

Projected Picks: Tyler Zeller, C (12); Darius Miller, SF (42)

2. New Orleans Hornets

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: First Round, Picks 4 & 10 (via Timberwolves)

Both Chris Paul and David West left and your franchise is now in ruins. How do you respond? By proving to be one of the league's worst teams and failing to re-sign Eric Gordon while the season was in tow.

The Hornets have a whole lot to lose.

Thankfully for the New Orleans faithful, the Hornets have two lottery picks that could land them two franchise players. As the Cleveland Cavaliers showed us in 2011, the picks could even land two Top Five draft choices if the lottery balls fall the right way.

If they fail to capitalize on this opportunity, however, the Hornets will be towards the bottom of the league for years to come.

Projected Picks: Thomas Robinson, PF (4); Kendall Marshall, PG (10)

1. Charlotte Bobcats

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: First Round, Pick 1; Second Round, Pick 31

There isn't much to be happy with in Charlotte, as the team just completed the worst season in NBA history. This leaves your options open as virtually every position becomes one of need.

Some could argue that Kemba Walker and Bismack Biyombo, who had relatively promising rookie seasons, are safe. While that opinion is not one to dispute, it's hard to imagine the Charlotte Bobcats taking anyone but the best player available.

Here's hoping for Anthony Davis to turn the pitied franchise around.

Projected Picks: Anthony Davis, PF (1); Draymond Green, SF (31)