NBA Draft Lottery 2012: 25 Key Questions Heading into Draft Lottery

If the NBA draft is a car, then the draft lottery is the engine that makes it run.

On Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET, 14 teams will watch with bated breath as the 2012 lottery order is determined. 

The Charlotte Bobcats have the best odds of obtaining the highly coveted first overall pick, but if history has taught us anything, that doesn't mean a whole lot.

And that's not even all that's at stake.

Before the ping-pong balls fall, let's take a look at the questions they will be answering.

Where Will Anthony Davis Land?

The actual NBA draft isn't until June 28, but the team that snags the first overall pick will be the one Anthony Davis suits up for next season.

Davis is a universal lock to be the first player selected; there is no Kyrie Irving vs. Derrick Williams debate this year.

Though the Bobcats, statistically, have the best shot at claiming the first pick, such an occurrence is far from a guarantee.

Until that opening ping-pong ball falls, Davis' home will remain somewhat of a mystery.

Will the Golden State Warriors Retain the Rights to Their Lottery-Bound Pick?

If the Warriors' pick falls outside the top seven, it belongs to the Jazz.

Though Golden State has a 72 percent chance at placing in the first seven, ESPN's Marc Stein reports the team is still attempting to secure its rights from Utah. 

Will the Warriors opt to keep their fingers crossed come Wednesday night or will they strike a deal with the Jazz that takes the risk out of the equation?

Stay tuned.

Will the Toronto Raptors Find Themselves in Position to Move Down?

This year's NBA draft is not only laden with talent, but talented big men.

The Raptors aren't in dire need of more size (see Jonas Valanciunas) and could look to trade out of their pick if they fail to strike gold and fall within the top three.

Depending upon how the ping-pong balls fall, the Toronto rumor mill may kick into overdrive.

Will the Houston Rockets Attempt to Move Up?

According to the Houston Chronicle, Kyle Lowry is unhappy in Houston, specifically with head coach Kevin McHale.

The Rockets are in need of a younger, more athletic big man to anchor the low post. They could deem Goran Dragic the point guard of the future and package Lowry, along one of their own picks, in an attempt to move up in the draft order.

While this year's class is has plenty of talented big man, there are numerous studs to be he had within the top half of the lottery.

Will Houston look to make itself a player for one of them?

That's what we're waiting to find out.

Is It Bradley Beal-or-Bust for the Cleveland Cavaliers?

The Cavaliers are projected to receive the third overall pick, which they would be expected to use on Florida's Bradley Beal.

However, would that hold true if they grab a hold of the second pick?

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist seems likely to go before Beal, but a widespread debate could ensue if it's Cleveland, instead of Washington or another team, slated at No. 2.

Will Dwight Howard Wind Up Stealing the Show?

Since the Magic parted ways with Stan Van Gundy, Dwight Howard speculation has picked up steam once again.

Though it's unclear what Orlando's next play is, the sheer uncertainty of this soap opera may be polarizing enough to headline a show neither party is a part of.

Whether they're logical or not, there's a real chance that Howard-related rumors will run wild as the final draft order is determined. 

Should the New Orleans Hornets Go Big or Small?

The Hornets have two lottery picks under their belts, and therefore they have an opportunity to draft both big and small. Which will come first?

It's easy to conclude that New Orleans will take the most talented big man left on the docket with its first pick. However, with so much size available, the case can be made for the Hornets to take a shooting guard or small forward and double back for a big man later on.

What will be New Orleans' course of action?

That's a question the ping-pong balls may be able to help us answer. 

Are Things Going to Get Worse in Sacramento?

Sacramento is officially the poster team for poorly run franchises and could potentially hit rock bottom heading into the lottery.

Not only are the Maloof brothers the laughingstock of the NBA ownership world, but the Kings are tasked with making up for their selection of Jimmer Fredette in last year's draft.

That becomes more difficult, even in a deeper draft like this one, if Sacramento falls outside the top five.

Is Kendall Marshall Lottery-Bound?

Kendall Marshall, a fringe lottery projection to begin with, may have seen his draft stock take a hit.

Marshall revealed in an interview with IMG Academies that he not only broke his wrist during the NCAA tournament, but he fractured his elbow too.

In a draft where big men reign supreme and quality point guards are hard to find, Marshall's playmaking abilities make him a hot commodity.

That said, is the health risk he presents worth potentially squandering a lottery pick?

Is Andre Drummond a Top-Five-Caliber Prospect?

Most mock drafts have Andre Drummond going in the top five, but is his inclusion in such a club written in stone?

Drummond has one of the most NBA-ready bodies in all the draft, but his skill sets on both ends of the floor are raw to say the least.

Though a team like the Hornets, with two lottery selections under their belt, may not hesitate to select a hands-on work-in-progress, there are plenty of other potential top-five teams that would. 

Do the Charlotte Bobcats Have a Backup Plan?

We all know that Anthony Davis will be selected first overall, but we honestly have no idea if the Bobcats will land the first pick.

The odds are in their favor, but just last year, the odds were in Minnesota's favor. The pick went to Cleveland.

If Charlotte is unable to land Davis, it will have to come up with a Plan B. Does that involve taking a Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or Bradley Beal, or will it opt for size and take a chance on Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond?

The Bobcats undoubtedly hope it doesn't come to that, but there's a strong chance it will nonetheless.

Will the Fate of Boston Celtics' Big Three Be Sealed?

The Celtics aren't in the lottery, nor will their season have ended by the time it takes place, but that doesn't mean they won't be involved in some capacity.

Boston has two first-round picks, and in a draft laden with star potential, Danny Ainge could look to parlay those picks into a lottery selection.

A lottery selection could wind up being a sharpshooting replacement for Ray Allen or Kevin Garnett's successor in the paint. 

Should the Phoenix Suns Draft a Point Guard?

Regardless of whether Steve Nash agrees to return, the Suns need to find a point guard of the future.

But is this the draft to find one in?

There is plenty of size to be had in this year's class, but NBA-ready facilitators aren't as prevalent. And with Kendall Marshall more banged up than first realized, Phoenix may opt to jump on the big-man bandwagon, especially if Damian Lillard appears out of reach.

Perhaps after the lottery balls fall, we'll know for sure.

Does Thomas Robinson Deserved to Be the Second Power Forward to Go?

Anthony Davis is universally regarded as the most talented big man in the draft, but who's next?

Some say Andre Drummond, and some even say Perry Jones III. There's also Thomas Robinson to consider.

Most mock drafts have Robinson going after Drummond at No. 5, but that could easily change.

Robinson is an athletic freak who is slightly more polished than Drummond. However, Drummond's ceiling is also believed to be higher.

For all the Davis talk, it will be interesting to see who is deemed the second-best big after the draft order is officially determined. 

Will the Portland Trail Blazers Find Their Answer at Point Guard?

Perhaps the most talented point guard in all the draft is Weber State's Damian Lillard, but is he Portland's answer at point guard?

Better yet, if the Blazers believe he is, do they take him with the first of their projected two lottery picks to ensure another team doesn't swoop in and grab him?

In a draft with limited talent at the point guard position, Portland has some potentially difficult decisions to make leading into Wednesday night and beyond. 

Will There Be Any David Kahn-Like Accusations Made?

Last year, David Kahn offered some pretty...well, let's say bold thoughts on the NBA's lottery process.

Kahn insinuated that the lottery was rigged (per CBS Sports) after the Timberwolves missed out on the first pick in the draft, despite having the best possible chance to claim it.

With Minnesota out of the lottery this year, Kahn is unlikely to give us an unfounded sound bite to run with.

That said, with emotions running high and the stage set for the improbable, will any other general managers or team representatives voice their angry or conspiracy-related opinions?

Who Will the Milwaukee Bucks Deem the Next Brandon Jennings?

No, the Bucks will not be targeting another point guard, but barring a miracle, they will once again be latched on to a late lottery pick.

Milwaukee drafted Brandon Jennings with the 10th overall pick in 2009 and will attempt to find the same type of impact player in a similar position this year.

Who will the Bucks wind up targeting? Terrence Jones? Jared Sullinger?

It all depends on where they finish in the draft order.

Is Michael Kidd-Gilchrist the Best Fit for the Washington Wizards?

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is projected by most to wind up in Washington, but is he the best fit alongside John Wall?

If the Wizards opt against drafting a big, Kidd-Gilchrist provides them with a strong weapon in transition and on the defensive end.

However, with a more polished, well-rounded player like Bradley Beal available, should Washington opt for potential or efficiency?

Should Perry Jones III Have Stayed in School Another Year?

Perry Jones III is clearly a superior talent, but he remains wildly inconsistent.

Though Jones is still a lock to be selected within the top 14, his stock could still fall depending upon the draft order.

Could he have avoided this by returning to Baylor another season or was foregoing his junior year the right decision?

Will Any Seniors Be Taken in the Lottery?

Last year, Jimmer Fredette was the only senior selected within the first 14 picks, though there was a larger-than-normal number of international prospects drafted.

This time around, Tyler Zeller may be the only chance for a senior to make a mark in the lottery.

That said, if a team like Milwaukee or Houston opts to pass on him before No. 15 rolls around, a senior-less lottery becomes a strong possibility.

Who's the Best Point Guard Available?

We've already addressed specific questions regarding Kendall Marshall and Damian Lillard, but which is the best facilitator available?

Marshall has near-unmatchable court vision, while Lillard almost perfectly balances scoring with passing.

And let's not forget about Dion Waiters and Marquis Teague, two projects with an enormous upside when it comes to running an offense.

Who's truly the best pick at this position, though?

That's what we'll hope to find out.

Will Jeremy Lamb Fall Outside the Top 10?

Jeremy Lamb is an extremely talented scorer that plenty of teams would love to add, but are any of those teams lying within the first 10 picks?

Lamb's offensive prowess and versatility make him a desirable prospect, but his below-average defensive awareness can also render him a liability.

Will the swingman's deficiencies on defense keep him out of the top 10?

That should become clearer once the draft order is set.

Will the Ping-Pong Balls Fall in the Brooklyn Nets' Favor?

If the Nets don't land one of the top three picks in this year's lottery, theirs will be sent over to the Blazers as part of the Gerald Wallace trade.

Brooklyn has a 7.5 percent chance at winning the lottery, but would undoubtedly settle for any of the top three picks.

Is luck on the Nets' side as they prepare move into their new home?

The Blazers sure hope not.

Can Austin Rivers Crack the Lottery?

The general consensus is that Austin Rivers left college too early, but ESPN's Chad Ford has lottery-bound teams like the Suns and Blazers taking a good, long look at him nonetheless.

It's hard to picture a player like Rivers rising that high that fast. Prior to the emergence of Avery Bradley, many had him pegged to fall to the Celtics, where his father, Doc Rivers, is the coach.

Rivers is a terrific scorer and understated playmaker, but he's still incredibly raw.

Should the Suns or Blazers not strike gold in the lottery, though, is Rivers destined to go in the top 14?

Wednesday night will shed some light on that.

Will This Year's Class Live Up to Its Potential?

Last year's draft class was deemed shallow, yet the top picks were expected to perform.

That said, only four lottery selections received any Rookie of the Year votes (Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Brandon Knight and Kemba Walker).

With plenty of star potential to sift through this time around, even more will be expected from this year's batch of rookies.

Are Anthony Davis and his future colleagues up to the challenge?

We'll just have to wait and see.

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