NBA Lottery 2012: 5 Burning Questions for Every Lottery Team

The 2012 NBA draft is a month away, and that means the draft lottery is even closer.

On May 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET, every NBA team will know where it stands in relation to the coveted No. 1 overall pick. After the draft lottery,we'll also have a better idea where the mighty unibrow Anthony Davis will be taking his talents for the 2012-13 NBA season.

With 14 lottery teams ranging from the lowly Charlotte Bobcats to the near-playoff bound Phoenix Suns, each team has major draft needs and questions to answer as the draft approaches.

Ahead are five burning questions for all 14 NBA lottery teams, ranked by their odds of winning the coveted No. 1 overall pick.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Lottery Pick Traded to New Orleans Hornets

1.  Will the Timberwolves look to find Michael Beasley's replacement in the draft?

While the Timberwolves' top priority might not necessarily be finding an exact replacement for Beasley, they still certainly need to find a forward who can bring a high level of efficiency to the small forward position on their depth chart.

Beasley was highly involved in trade talks this past March, and I'm sure someone out there will be willing to overpay for his talents.

If someone is interested in signing Beasley, the Timberwolves need to let him go and focus on finding a more efficient player to take his place in this year's draft. Mo Harkless, Royce White and Terrence Jones wouldn't be bad options for the T-Wolves' needs at the small forward spot.

2.  Should the Timberwolves pursue a backup point guard for Ricky Rubio in the draft?

The worst part of Ricky Rubio's season-ending knee injury was that it was a non-contact injury. While a lot of players have recovered from that kind of injury, there's no doubt that it leaves players prone to re-injury.

If the Timberwolves are smart, they'll focus on finding a backup for Rubio in the second round of the draft. Minnesota does have J.J. Barea on its roster, but it would be nice if the T-Wolves could find a combo guard who could play both the 1 and 2 spots as to add depth to their backcourt.

If the T-Wolves can do that, they'll be a force to be reckoned with next season.  

3.  How active will the Timberwolves be in free agency?

Unfortunately for the T-Wolves, they don't have the kind of cap space they'll need to make serious moves during the summer of free agency. That doesn't mean, however, that they won't be able to add talent to their roster.

The T-Wolves could certainly go after some undervalued talent to bolster their frontcourt like Lavoy Allen, Jeremy Evans or even a guy like Omer Asik. I don't expect the Timberwolves to be very active in free agency.

But that isn't because they don't need to be. It's because they can't afford to be that active. Instead the Timberwolves will just have to be smart with the acquisitions they'll make.

4.  Can the Timberwolves contend in the Western Conference without a big free-agent signing?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Before Ricky Rubio went down with a torn ACL, the Timberwolves were actually vying for that final playoff spot in the West. While there was still a lot of time left in the season, there's no doubt that the T-Wolves showed a lot of potential this past season.

With guys like Rubio, Kevin Love, Derrick Williams and Nikola Pekovic, the Timberwolves can certainly contend in a star-studded Western Conference.

It won't be easy, but it will certainly be possible for Minnesota to contend even next year—as long as its roster stays healthy. Love and Rubio have all the tools they need to lead the T-Wolves to the playoffs and beyond. No other high-caliber free-agent talent is needed.

5.  Can the Timberwolves find a legitimate shooting guard in the draft?

One of the T-Wolves' biggest needs heading into the draft exists at the shooting guard position. Currently, they have Martell Webster and Wayne Ellington, and to be honest those guys aren't getting the job done.

If Minnesota wants to contend in the West, it'll certainly need more production from the shooting guard position, and that's a need it can focus on in the draft. Tyshawn Taylor and Kim English are two guys that the T-Wolves could certainly look at drafting to meet that need.

Both Taylor and English are the kind of players who could come in and make an immediate impact off the bench, which is what the T-Wolves need.

No. 13 Houston Rockets: 0.5 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Should the Rockets trade Kyle Lowry?

CBS is reporting that Kyle Lowry will seek a trade if head coach Kevin McHale isn't relieved of his duties before next season. While Lowry certainly has a lot of potential, there's no doubt that the Rockets can move forward without him, especially if they are able to re-sign Goran Dragic this offseason.

If Lowry doesn't want to be a part of the Rockets franchise, then they should just move on without him and maximize his value this upcoming offseason.

Teams like the L.A. Lakers and Dallas Mavericks will be looking for a franchise point guard, and the Rockets would be wise to feed off their potential interest in Lowry.

2.  Is there any legitimate frontcourt potential in the mid-first round?

One of the Rockets' biggest needs is frontcourt depth, and they can certainly find that in this year's draft. It's a shame that Marcus Morris didn't pan out last year like the Rockets had hoped, but they can find his replacement in the mid to late first round.

The Rockets could go after a developed player like Jared Sullinger or Tyler Zeller, or they could try to trade back into the later part of the first round and go after more raw talent like Festus Ezeli or Draymond Green.

Either way, the Rockets certainly can find a solid big man to add to their roster in the mid-first-round range, and that's certainly good news.

3.  Should the Rockets trade any of their first-round picks?

The Rockets have two first-round picks, both of which will fall in the mid-first-round range. If there are teams interested in taking either of the Rockets' picks, it wouldn't be a bad idea to move one.

The Rockets could maximize their draft picks by moving one of their first-round picks and acquiring cash and a second-round pick.

If the Rockets are able to move into the second round, they'll be able to try to find a low-cost shooting guard that can help pad the impact of potentially losing Courtney Lee this offseason.

The Rockets could go after a shooting guard in the first round too, but I'd argue that there's more "mature" talent in the second round than there is in the first round this year.

4.  Who will be coaching the team heading into the 2012-13 season?

I highly doubt the Rockets' front office will listen to the demands of Kyle Lowry and move forward without Kevin McHale. It's never good for a franchise to listen to demands of players, as we've seen in Orlando, and the Rockets would be wise to trade Lowry instead of letting him take the reins.

The answer to the above question is easy: McHale will be coaching the team heading into the 2012-13 season. While that might not be the best decision for the Rockets, it's the one that they undoubtedly need to make.

5.  How much depth can they add to their roster through the draft?

No matter what the Rockets do with their two first-round draft picks, they certainly have the potential to make some noise in the draft. If the Rockets draft a big man and a shooting guard, they will be making the right moves, no matter which specific players they take.

Adding depth to their roster at their biggest positional needs—center and shooting guard—is exactly what the Rockets' top priority needs to be heading into the draft.

The Rockets need players who are ready to make an immediate impact, especially at the shooting guard position, and they can do just that in this draft if they select the right guys for the job.

Players like Doron Lamb, Jared Sullinger and Terrence Ross should be on the Rockets' radar heading into the draft.

No. 12 Phoenix Suns: 0.6 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Will Steve Nash be the starting point guard for the Suns next season?

The only person who knows whether Steve Nash will be wearing a Suns jersey next season is Nash himself. In my opinion, the right choice for Nash to make is to take his talents elsewhere, to a place where he can finally have a chance at an NBA title.

Nash might be one of the oldest veterans in the league, but he still has the kind of talent a lot of teams could benefit from having on their roster.

If Nash isn't a member of the Suns next season, Phoenix will certainly have to start the rebuilding process. That isn't necessarily bad news, though. It's time to start the post-Nash era in Phoenix, and with a high first-round pick, the Suns can do just that.

2.  Does a sign-and-trade of Steve Nash make sense for the Suns?

I'm not exactly sure of the answer to this one. On one level, a sign-and-trade makes sense for the Suns because they can at least get something from the aging veteran, rather than just letting him sign with another team.

On the other hand, a trade is going to diminish Nash's value to potential teams, as they'll be less willing to give away talent for Nash instead of just signing him as a free agent.

For the Suns, it's a win-win situation. But for Nash it makes more sense for him to just sign as a free agent. If Nash truly cares about the Suns' franchise, he'll work with them to make a sign-and-trade possible for their benefit, but no one would blame him if he decides to just move on as a free agent either.

3.  Can they find their future franchise point guard in the draft?

The only way that the Suns can draft another franchise point guard is if they move up in the draft and grab Kendall Marshall. Marshall is one of the true point guards in the draft, with a pure ability to facilitate offense while also being able to score when needed.

If the Suns aren't able to draft Marshall, they should try to tie their first-round draft pick in with a sign-and-trade of Nash to maximize the value of both assets.

The Suns would be wise to try to find their next "Steve Nash" in free agency rather than the draft, if they can't get Marshall, as there are a number of free agents who would help the Suns more immediately than drafting a young prospect.

4.  Which player will the Suns amnesty?

The Suns have yet to amnesty anyone on their roster, but that doesn't mean they should continue to hold on to it.

If the Suns want to clear up some cap space, they should undoubtedly move on without Josh Childress, who is absolutely not worth the $21 million they will be paying him over the next three seasons.

This past season, Childress averaged a whopping 2.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and one assist per game. I don't think that's worth $7 million every year, do you? 

5.  Can the Suns win with Jared Dudley and Marcin Gortat as their foundation?

Marcin Gortat's emergence was certainly a pleasant surprise for the Suns this season, and while he's a solid talent, there's no way that the Suns can win a championship with him as the foundation of their franchise. The same goes for Jared Dudley.

Both players are solid players, but they can't get the job done alone. If the Suns want to contend in the Western Conference, they'll need to find a star player that can lead their team to the playoffs and beyond.

That player used to be Steve Nash, but it's time for the Suns to find a new star player to be the foundation of their franchise. Unfortunately, the draft won't be a place where the Suns can find that player this year.   

No. 11 Milwaukee Bucks: 0.7 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Which center prospect brings the most potential to have an immediate impact?

There are obvious players like Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond who are top prospects in this draft, but the Bucks most likely won't have a shot at getting either of them. The most realistic prospect for the Bucks to draft is Tyler Zeller, and he's the kind of player that would fit well into the Bucks' system.

Zeller has four years of college experience under his belt, and he's already grown into his seven-foot, 250-pound frame.

While Zeller might not be the most athletic big man in the draft, he's certainly one of the safest bets, as he could come in and have an immediate impact coming off the bench.

2.  What type of role players do the Bucks need around Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings?

The Bucks formed one of the most offensively explosive duos in the NBA when they traded for Monta Ellis this past season. While those players can certainly carry a majority of the Bucks offense, they can't do it by themselves.

For the Bucks to compete in the East, they need to most importantly find a center who can produce on a consistent basis. They also need an athletic small forward who can run in transition with Ellis and Jennings.

Nicolas Batum would be a great fit for the Bucks, but he might cost too much this upcoming offseason. With an efficient center and an athletic small forward, the Bucks can certainly contend next season.

3.  How can the Bucks solidify their defense in the draft?

The best way for the Bucks to improve their defense through the draft is to go after an oversized center and a lengthy small forward that has the knack for rebounding the ball. Players the Bucks could put in their focus that fit their needs are players like Tyler Zeller, Kim English and Kris Joseph.

All of those players could have an impact on the defensive side of the ball, which is a major need for the Bucks moving forward in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.

4.  Could Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis turn into the most feared backcourt in the game?

We only saw a glimpse of Jennings and Ellis' potential last season. What we saw, though, was impressive to say the least. This past season, both Ellis and Jennings consistently combined for 40-plus points per game.

It's safe to say that with an offseason of training and practice under their belt, they can be even more dangerous than that.

With the right role players on the Bucks roster, the duo of Jennings and Ellis can certainly become one of the best in the entire NBA.

This next season, we all might be in for quite a surprise from Milwaukee, as the Fear the Deer moniker might become a reality sooner than later.

5.  Should anyone get amnestied before the start of the 2012-13 season?

The two best options for the Bucks to amnesty are Beno Udrih and Drew Gooden. Both players take up more than $6 million per year, but at least Gooden puts up averages that warrants that kind of pay.

Udrih, on the other hand, only averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 assists per game last season. While that kind of production doesn't exactly equal $6 million per year in my book, it's certainly not the worst contract in the NBA.

I'd be somewhat shocked if the Bucks decided to use their amnesty on anyone this upcoming offseason. Keeping their roster intact isn't a bad thing moving into the 2012-13 season.

No. 10 Portland Trail Blazers: 0.8 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  How will the Trail Blazers rebuild without Greg Oden and Brandon Roy?

It's officially time to start rebuilding for the Portland Trail Blazers. Brandon Roy and Greg Oden are gone, and while that's certainly a shame, it's time for a fresh start. Luckily for the Trail Blazers, they could have as many as four draft picks in this year's draft—two in the first and two in the second.

As long as the Brooklyn Nets don't land in the top three picks in the draft, the Trail Blazers will have two picks in the lottery, which is a perfect way to start the rebuilding process.

Free agency will certainly be important for the Trail Blazers, but their rebuilding focus needs to be solely on finding the right players to add to their roster via the draft.  

2.  Can LaMarcus Aldridge really be the future of the Trail Blazers' franchise?

There's no doubt that Aldridge can be the Trail Blazers' franchise player. He's a versatile big man that has the ability to play either at the power forward or center position.

While Aldridge can be the franchise player the Trail Blazers need, Portland won't be able to win in the Western Conference without the right role players around him.

Retaining Nicolas Batum this offseason is a must for the Trail Blazers. Aside from that, though, the Trail Blazers need to focus on drafting players who complement the play of Aldridge.

If the Trail Blazers can draft/sign a point guard and shooting guard combo who can force teams to defend the perimeter, then Aldridge can be that much more productive, in terms of becoming a perennial All-Star in the NBA.

3.  Can the Trail Blazers win with Raymond Felton at the point, or should they let him go?

No, the Trail Blazers won't be able to contend in the West with Felton at the point because he just doesn't fit well into the roster they currently have. The fact that Felton is a little bit out of shape doesn't help his cause all that much either.

If Felton wants the $7.5 million per year he's making right now, the Trail Blazers need to let him go, because he's certainly not worth that kind of money.

There are better options available in free agency, such as Goran Dragic, Jameer Nelson and Randy Foye, that the Trail Blazers can go with for less cost than Felton.

It's time to part ways with Felton because he's not the player everyone thought he would be coming out of North Carolina a few years ago.

4.  Who can the Trail Blazers draft to complement LaMarcus Aldridge?

If the Trail Blazers land high enough in the draft, they might have a shot at draft Andre Drummond, but even if they have that opportunity, they should pass. He's not the kind of player that will complement LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge needs a frontcourt partner that is athletic, physical and aptly sized to play the center position. A few guys that fit that mold are Festus Ezeli, Henry Sims and Fab Melo.

The only problem for the Trail Blazers is that their draft position might not put them in a place to take any of those players. If Ezeli falls into the early second round, the Trail Blazers would be wise to move up and grab him, as he would fit well aside Aldridge.

5.  Will Nicolas Batum be in Trail Blazer black and red when the 2012-13 season begins?

Nicolas Batum is in the qualifying year of his contract with the Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers would be ridiculously foolish to not bring Batum back, as their qualifying offer will only be $5.4 million for this upcoming season. However, his salary could be more than that depending on what offers he gets from other teams.

Batum is the kind of player who can quickly become a legitimate frontman in the NBA because of his athleticism, length and versatility.

I think it's safe to say that the Trail Blazers will be able to bring Batum and his season averages of 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game back next season. If they don't, it will be a long year in Portland, that's for sure.

No. 9 Detroit Pistons: 1.7 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Will Ben Gordon return to his Chicago Bulls form?

Ben Gordon is one of those guys that gets paid way too much for the kind of production he puts out. This upcoming season, Gordon will make $12.4 million, and that's too much for a guy who puts up 12.5 points per game on 44 percent shooting.

The Pistons signed Gordon in hopes that he'd be the kind of player he was with the Bulls that put up near 20-plus points per game three seasons in a row.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like he's going to ever be that kind of player in Detroit, which means it might be time to pull the trigger on amnestying Gordon to free up some much-needed cap space.

2.  Will Charlie Villanueva finally be worth the money the Pistons have invested in him?

Luckily for Ben Gordon and his overpriced contract, Charlie Villanueva has been even more underwhelming since joining the Pistons. Last season, Villanueva played in 13 games and averaged seven points per game on 38.5 percent shooting.

Since joining the Pistons, Villanueva has been anything but impressive, and it might be time to let him go.

The Pistons are starting to build around Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight, and that's the direction they should be moving in, which means letting Villanueva go via the amnesty clause. Villanueva won't be returning to his top form any time soon, and it's because he's just not that good.

3.  Can the Pistons contend in the Eastern Conference with the talent they currently have?

With guys like Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva woefully underperforming and locking down a large amount of cap space, the Pistons won't be a team to contend with in the East any time soon.

Luckily for the Pistons, they have three draft picks this year, and they will need all three of those to help build a roster talented enough to contend in the Eastern Conference.

With the right pieces around Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight, the Pistons can certainly contend in the East, but it will take some time. Contending certainly won't start next season.

4.  Can the Pistons find Greg Monroe's frontcourt partner in the draft?

The biggest need the Pistons must fill in the draft is finding the player that will develop alongside Greg Monroe. That player could very well be Baylor power forward Perry Jones III or UNC big man John Henson.

If the Pistons wanted to take a risk on finding Monroe's partner in the draft, they could wait until the second round and take a chance on Henry Sims, who played at Georgetown just like Monroe.

While Sims is more of a center than other power forward prospects, he could fit nicely alongside Monroe, as they would form a well-sized frontcourt duo for the Pistons.

5.  Should the Pistons move Brandon Knight to the shooting guard position and make Rodney Stuckey their starting point guard? 

Both Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight are capable of running the point for the Pistons, but to add consistency to their rotation, the Pistons should move forward with just one of them at the point guard position.

While Knight is the smaller player, he's more suited to be a shooting guard. His abilities are rooted in coming off screens and hitting open jump shots.

Stuckey, on the other hand, is more capable of creating offense for himself. His 6'5" frame also gives him a size advantage over most point guards in the league, and that's something the Pistons could benefit from.

No. 8 Toronto Raptors: 3.5 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Should the Toronto Raptors use Jose Calderon as trade bait before the draft?

There was some talk about the Raptors trading Jose Calderon this past season. While that might seem somewhat foolish for the Raptors to do, now would be the time to pull the trigger on trading away Calderon and his vastly overpriced contract.

Teams like the Dallas Mavericks, L.A. Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and Brooklyn Nets could very well be in the market for a point guard, and Calderon could draw a lot of interest and a lot of subsequent value.

Calderon isn't the point guard of the future for the Raptors, with career averages of just 9.9 points and 7.2 assists per game, and now could be the perfect time to maximize his value.

2.  Which player should the Raptors use their amnesty clause on?

The most realistic amnesty victim is Amir Johnson, who's scheduled to get paid a hefty $6 million next season.

For 6.1 points and five rebounds per game, the Raptors shouldn't be playing anything more than $2.5 million, and that's the reason why the Raptors should amnesty Johnson before the start of the 2012-13 season.

3.  Should the Raptors continue to build around DeMar DeRozan?

I hate to say it, but I think it's time for the Raptors to start building the future of their franchise around a player other than DeMar DeRozan.

DeRozan can be a nice piece of the Raptors' future, but he certainly can't be the foundation of their franchise. He's a solid role player, averaging 16.7 points per game this last season on 42.2 percent shooting, but he can't lead a team to the playoffs alone.

Building around DeRozan in the draft or through free agency is a futile act and one that the Raptors would regret.

4. Should the Raptors trade their draft picks and focus more on free agency?

The Raptors have the luxury of having three draft picks in the draft, with one coming in the first round and two falling in the second. The Raptors could feasibly package their draft picks and trade them for cash and players that could bolster their backcourt, but that isn't a realistic possibility.

There isn't enough talent in this year's free-agency pool that the Raptors could realistically land and build around, so their main option to rebuild is going to be making the most of their three draft picks.

The Raptors would be foolish to not at least test the waters of the trade market with their draft picks though, especially if they can combine them with Jose Calderon to maximize their return on their investment in him.

5.  Can the Raptors finally find Andrea Bargnani's frontcourt partner in the draft?

The Raptors' biggest need in the draft, aside from possibly replacing Jose Calderon, is finding a player who can help Andrea Bargnani become a legitimate All-Star in the NBA.

They need to draft a legitimate center so that Bargnani can play more like Kevin Love and less like the seven-foot center that he is.

Players like Meyers Leonard, Andre Drummond and Tyler Zeller fit into what the Raptors need, and if they can land any of those players at an appropriate time in the draft, they should certainly go after them.

The Raptors don't need a franchise center; they just need a guy who can take up space in the paint to help Bargnani get out on the perimeter more. They can certainly find that kind of player in this year's draft.

No. 7 Golden State Warriors: 3.6 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Did the Warriors make the right move by deciding to move to San Francisco in 2017?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes. The Golden State Warriors are better suited to be playing basketball in San Francisco, in a new stadium, than they are staying in the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

It was the right time to infuse some excitement and life into a struggling franchise, and the Warriors did just that by announcing their move from Oakland to the happening town of San Francisco, which just so happens to be the location of Bleacher Report's headquarters.

2.  Will the Warriors be able to find Monta Ellis' replacement in the draft?

To find a player like Monta Ellis in this year's draft would be like finding a needle in a haystack. I'm not saying that there isn't legitimate talent at the shooting guard position in the draft. I'm just saying that there aren't any players that will end up being on Ellis' level.

Until Andrew Bogut carries the Warriors to a playoff appearance, I will stand by the thought that trading away Ellis was one of the worst trades in NBA history.

The Warriors will continue to regret moving such an offensively explosive shooting guard, especially when they fail to find his replacement in this year's draft or in free agency.

3.  How active will the Warriors be in free agency?

If the Warriors want to contend in the West during the 2012-13 season, they will have to be one of the most active teams in free agency. It will be a tough challenge for the Warriors, but they will need to reel in veteran talent at the shooting guard position to make up for the loss of Ellis' production.

Players like Mickael Pietrus, Nick Young and O.J. Mayo could certainly help the Warriors contend in the West this upcoming season. Those players won't help the Warriors forget about Monta Ellis, but they will certainly help them make the transition to the post-Ellis era.

The Warriors would also be wise to pursue a small forward in free agency who can help add athleticism to their roster, like Nicolas Batum. While that's a long shot, it's certainly at least something worth trying for.

4.  Should the Warriors draft Andrew Bogut's backup plan in the draft or pursue him in free agency?

To say that Andrew Bogut is an injury-prone player would be a vast understatement. Bogut missed all but 12 games last season, and while he'll be returning this upcoming year at "full health," there's no doubt that the injuries he's sustained are starting to take a toll on his body.

With that being said, it would be in the Warriors' best interest to draft a player who can be groomed as a solid backup for Bogut in case he goes down with another injury.

That player could be Festus Ezeli, Fab Melo or even Robert Sacre in the latter part of the second round of the draft. With up to four picks in the draft, the Warriors should be able to find at least one player who can back up Bogut.

5.  Can the Warriors contend in the West with Stephen Curry as their future?

The future of Stephen Curry in Golden State hinges on the health of his often-injured ankles. If Curry can stay healthy, there's no doubt that he can be the franchise player the Warriors have looked for the past few seasons.

While the NBA is a different world than the ranks of college basketball, I have no doubt that Curry can carry the Warriors much like he carried Davidson to a deep run in the NCAA March Madness tournament a few years ago.

If the Warriors can draft talent that fits their needs and gives Curry the offensive help he needs, the Warriors can be a seriously dangerous team in the near future. Stephen Curry is just that good.

No. 6 Brooklyn Nets: 7.5 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

The Nets only get to keep their first-round pick if it falls within the top three picks.

1.  Will moving to Brooklyn actually make a difference for the Nets?

While moving to Brooklyn will certainly add some swagger initially to a lackluster Nets team—especially if they're without Deron Williams to start the 2012-13 season—there's no doubt that the "fun factor" of being the Brooklyn Nets will quickly wear off once they start losing games like they have in the past.

Unless the Nets can re-sign Williams and/or find the diamond in the rough in this year's draft, they will be destined to carry their losing ways with them to Brooklyn.

You can take the Nets out of New Jersey, but you can't take the New Jersey out of the Nets. 

2.  Can the Nets contend if Deron Williams isn't on their roster?

If Deron Williams doesn't start the 2012-13 season as a member of the New Jersey Nets, the Nets will certainly struggle throughout the season.

Just take a look at the five best players on the Nets roster if Williams doesn't return—Kris Humphries (unrestricted free agent this season), Jordan Farmar (player option), Brook Lopez (qualifying option), MarShon Brooks and Gerald Wallace.

Yep, that's a pretty underwhelming roster. While the Nets will certainly be in rebuilding mode without Williams, they also will be in losing mode. There's no way the Nets will contend in the East next season if Williams doesn't decide to re-sign with them.

3.  Will the Nets be able to find the diamond in the rough with their only pick in the draft (No. 57 overall)?

If the Nets' first-round pick doesn't land in the top three picks, it will become the prized possession of the Portland Trail Blazers. If the Nets lose their first-round pick, they'll be left with just the 57th overall pick, and finding a talented player at that point in the draft will certainly be a stretch for the Nets.

The Nets did a great job last season by drafting MarShon Brooks, who ended up being a talented rookie shooting guard. Finding the "MarShon Brooks" of this draft won't be that easy. The Nets' best chance at finding the diamond in the rough is drafting a point guard who can make an immediate impact in the NBA.

One player that could be just that is Tyshawn Taylor, the senior point guard out of Kansas. Taylor's not the safest pick, but when you only have one pick in the latter parts of the draft, you have to be willing to take a risk to find true talent.

4.  Is Gerald Wallace really worth potentially not having a first-round pick?

If the Nets lose their first-round pick, they will have Gerald Wallace to thank. The Nets traded that pick for Wallace, and it looked like a smart move, as the Nets were hovering around obscurity in the East. Unfortunately for the Nets, they lost a few too many games, and now the odds of losing that pick are higher than they'd like.

This might sound crazy, but even if the Nets lose their first-round pick, I think it will have been worth it because they will desperately need veteran talent heading into next season...especially with the possibility of Deron Williams not being on the roster.

Under normal circumstances, Wallace wouldn't be that valuable, but with the situation the Nets are in, I think he's more valuable than wasting a draft pick on undeveloped potential.

5.  Will the Nets be able to bring back Kris Humphries?

The Nets' biggest priority this offseason, other than re-signing Deron Williams, is making sure that Kris Humphries doesn't leave before he can play his first game as a member of the Brooklyn Nets.

This past season, Humphries was a double-double machine with averages of 13.8 points and 11 rebounds per game.

The Nets absolutely can't afford to let him go, but it will be extremely difficult to make him stay. There will be teams that can offer more money than the Nets can, and Humphries will most likely follow the money—especially after his divorce with Kim Kardashian.

For all the Nets fans out there, I hate to say it, but I think Humphries will be playing for a different team next season, and that's bad news for the first year of the new-look Brooklyn Nets.

No. 5 Sacramento Kings: 7.6 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Can the Kings finally find a legitimate center in the draft?

The Kings currently have DeMarcus Cousins playing at center, and while he's capable of that, he's more suited to play outside the paint as a power forward.

The best way for the Kings to move Cousins to the power forward spot is by drafting someone who is better suited to play at the center spot.

If the Kings are able to get a shot at taking Andre Drummond in the first few picks of the draft, they should do just that. Drummond is the prototypical player that the Kings go after. He's an athletic, raw player who needs time to develop.

With the right coaching and veteran mentoring, Drummond and Cousins could make a talented duo in the Western Conference. If the Kings can't get Drummond, they should look to free agency to find Cousins' frontcourt partner.

2.  Is Isaiah Thomas the point guard of the future in Sacramento?

Isaiah Thomas had quite the coming-out party in Sacramento in the second half of the 2011-12 season. He ended his rookie campaign with averages of 11.5 points, 4.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game, with a PER of 17.68.

Just to put those numbers in perspective, let's compare them to that of Kyrie Irving, the 2012 NBA Rookie of the Year: 18.5 points, 5.4 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game, with a PER of 21.49.

While Thomas's numbers aren't as high as Irving's, they are still impressive, especially when you consider that Irving averaged 5.5 more minutes per game. I think it's safe to say that Thomas is the point guard of the future in Sacramento.

3.  How long will it take for the Kings to amnesty John Salmons?

I'm absolutely amazed that the Kings haven't amnestied John Salmons yet. He's just simply not worth the Kings' time and money.

Next season alone, the Kings have $8.1 million tied up in Salmons, which makes him the highest-paid player on the Kings roster. With Salmons' 2011-12 averages of 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and two assists, it's inexcusable that he's still on the Kings' roster.

It's time to cut ties with Salmons, and I'd be shocked if the Kings didn't do it before the start of the 2012-13 season.

4.  Will Jimmer Fredette return to his BYU form?

The only way Jimmer Fredette will ever return to his collegiate glory days is if the Kings are able to get a legitimate center who's able to dominate on the offensive side of the ball in the paint.

The Kings need a player who's able to dominate the game in the paint so that defenses will have to collapse, leaving Fredette with more freedom to get open around the perimeter, where he can do the most damage. If the Kings can land Andre Drummond, they'll be able to do just that.

Freeing up Fredette on the perimeter, or moving him to the point (which is a stretch), could potentially turn the Kings into a solid playoff contender in the West. That's how good Fredette is when he's playing in a system that fits his style of play.

5.  Will the Kings draft raw talent as usual or shock the world and take developed older talent?

The Kings are known for drafting players with a high level of risk associated with their raw potential rather than taking players who are more mature and developmentally sound.

While that's given the Kings a roster full of individually talented players, it hasn't helped them gel together as a team. It's time for the Kings to change that.

The expected choice for the Kings to make would be to draft a raw player like Andre Drummond or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

The unexpected move the Kings could make would be to go after a player like Harrison Barnes or John Henson, both of whom are developmentally sound and have at least two years of experience in the ranks of college basketball.

I doubt the Kings will go after developed players and instead will draft for immediate need once again.

No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers: 13.8 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Just how good can the Cavaliers be after the draft?

Unless the Cavaliers let the timer run out on their draft picks and throw them away, they will come out as the big winners of the 2012 NBA draft. With four picks within the first 34 selections, the Cavaliers have quite an opportunity to turn around their franchise rather quickly.

If the Cavaliers draft for need rather than selecting the best available player, they can transform from a lottery team into a playoff contender in the East overnight.

By drafting a center, shooting guard and two forwards, the Cavaliers can quickly have one of the youngest and most athletic rosters in the entire NBA.

After the 2012 NBA draft, the Cavaliers will have a ridiculous level of hype surrounding their 2012-13 season, and I think they'll be ready to live up to that hype.

2.  Which need will the Cavaliers focus on in the first round?

With their lottery pick, which statistically speaking will land around the No. 3 spot, the Cavaliers should target a legitimate shooting guard aside talented rookie Kyrie Irving to create one of the most feared backcourts in the game.

A player the Cavaliers could and should target is Jeremy Lamb, who thrived at UConn when he was playing aside one of the best point guards in the college game—Kemba Walker.

It's clear that Lamb thrives when he has a talented teammate running the point, and the Cavaliers would be smart to recognize that and draft him with their first-round lottery pick.

3.  Should the Cavaliers try to trade any of their draft picks for more developed talent?

The one problem with having a lottery pick is that it often entails drafting players with raw potential that at times don't pan out. With that being said, the Cavaliers can afford to take a developmental player, as they have a number of draft picks they can fall back on to take more developed talent.

Although they have more picks than any other team in the draft, the Cavs should hold on to their picks as to add a serious level of depth to their roster. If just half of the Cavs' picks turn out to be solid role players, the draft will have been a success for the Cavs.

Unless a team offers something absurd for the Cavaliers' lottery pick, they should simply hold on to it and see what kind of talent they can get out of it.

4.  Will Kyrie Irving be able to carry the Cavaliers without another legitimate star?

Kyrie Irving is a great player, and he'll be one of the premier players in the league for years to come, but he won't be able to lead the Cavaliers to a deep run in the NBA playoffs all by himself. Irving certainly needs another star alongside him to help carry the Cavaliers to becoming a contender once again in the East.

That player doesn't have to be on the same level as Irving, but he has to at least be more productive than the role players on the Cavaliers roster right now. A few guys who could potentially turn into that kind of player are Jeremy Lamb, Bradley Beal or Tony Wroten.

It may be safer for the Cavaliers to try to sign a free agent who could add backcourt production alongside Irving, but with four draft picks, they'd be foolish to do that.

5.  Can the Cavaliers start forgetting about LeBron James?

With four draft picks in this year's draft, the Cavaliers will certainly have one of the most exciting rosters heading into the 2012-13 season. They'll also have one of the least experienced rosters in the NBA, which will add some trepidation to the mix for Cavaliers fans.

With all that being said, it's now time for the Cavaliers to forget about LeBron James. Last season was a nice step in the right direction toward forgetting about LeBron, but now it's officially time to stop mentioning him and start forgetting about him.

The Cavaliers will have a fresh new start after the draft, with a new core of talent that the fans in Cleveland should be extremely excited about. Sorry LeBron, the Cavaliers are finally moving on without you.

No. 3 New Orleans Hornets: 14.8 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

The Hornets have two lottery picks courtesy of the Chris Paul trade.

1.  Which direction should the Hornets go in if Eric Gordon doesn't come back to New Orleans?

There's a possibility that Eric Gordon could start the 2012-13 season on a different roster than he did this past season. There are reports that Indiana is interested in offering him a max deal. If the Pacers did that, he would be wise to accept the deal, as he's a high-risk player with bad knees.

If Gordon isn't a New Orleans Hornet when the season starts, the Hornets will be in full-fledged rebuild mode. Aside from Gordon, the Hornets don't have legitimate All-Star talent, and they'll need to find that either in the draft or in free agency.

The Hornets should switch their focus to the draft and try to rebuild their team from the ground up—much like the Oklahoma City Thunder did a few years ago.

2.  Where should the Hornets start to rebuild?

The best place for the Hornets to start their rebuilding process is within their frontcourt. Chris Kaman and Emeka Okafor are average players who just don't have what it takes to be the building blocks for an NBA franchise.

With their two lottery picks, the Hornets should focus on drafting a young and athletic frontcourt tandem that can be the future of the franchise.

Going after guys like Andre Drummond and John Henson wouldn't be a bad direction for the Hornets to go, especially if they then pursue a veteran shooting guard or a veteran small forward in free agency.

3.  Can the Hornets win with Jarrett Jack at the point?

Jarrett Jack was one of the biggest surprises of the 2011-12 season. While some will say that his production was the result of being on a woefully underwhelming team, there's no doubt that his production, with the talent he had around him, is impressive to say the least.

The Hornets can't win with Jack alone, but they can certainly win with him at the point if they give him talented shooters and athletic forwards to facilitate the offense to.

Jack might never be an All-Star point guard in the NBA, but if he can average around 15 points and six assists like he did this year, he'll be a big part of the Hornets future.

4.  Is trading one of their high draft picks a viable option?

Even if the Hornets end up with the top two picks in the draft, they shouldn't trade them because they don't have that luxury right now.

You could certainly argue that the picks themselves are more valuable than the talent in return. The Hornets need to start pumping some youth and excitement into their franchise, and the best place to do that is in the draft. 

5.  Which position can the Hornets solidify through the draft?

The Hornets are tied with the Charlotte Bobcats for being the team in the draft with the highest level of need. The Hornets need everything from a shooting guard to a legitimate frontcourt duo.  

While they might not be able to get all of that with their two draft picks, they'll at least be able to fill one of those spots.

The Hornets' biggest need is to add depth to their frontcourt and if they are able to draft both a power froward and a center, they can do just that heading into the 2012-13 season.

Imagine if the Hornets could land both Andre Drummond and Perry Jones III. That would be quite a dynamic and athletic duo.

No. 2 Washington Wizards: 19.9 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Can John Wall truly carry the Wizards franchise?

Much like Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, John Wall is expected to be the foundation of the future in Washington, and he's not capable of doing that all by himself. If he was capable of doing that, he would've helped the Wizards make a playoff appearance within his first two seasons.

That doesn't mean Wall can't help the Wizards become a contender in the Eastern Conference. It just means he needs to change the way he plays the game or stick with the Wizards in hopes that they'll be able to add the right kind of talent around him.

With Nene now on the Wizards roster, the Wizards can move to finding Rashard Lewis's replacement—possibly Thomas Robinson?

2.  Will the Wizards be able to be the big winners of the 2012 NBA draft?

With one lottery pick and the No. 32 and No. 46 overall picks in the draft, the Wizards, needless to say, have a lot of pressure on them to make picks that will help turn them into contenders. I think they can do just that, as long as they draft for need rather than drafting the best available player regardless of position.

Players the Wizards need to target to do that are Thomas Robinson, Draymond Green, Kim English and Will Barton.

The Wizards need to add mature frontcourt depth, and they can do that by going after Robinson and Green, both of whom played at least three years in college before leaving for the draft.

When the Wizards are announced as the big draft-night winners, just remember that you heard it here first.

3.  Will the Wizards finally amnesty Rashard Lewis?

I know there are reasons why the Wizards haven't amnestied Rashard Lewis, but it's time to just bite the bullet and finally unload the underperforming and overpaid small forward.

There's absolutely no way that anyone in their right mind will trade for Lewis and the $23.7 million he's due next season. While the Wizards would still owe Lewis that money, they'd at least be able to catch a break regarding the salary cap and paying the appropriate luxury tax on his bloated contract.

By amnestying Lewis, the Wizards could potentially catch a break on his contract as long as another team picked him up, which could realistically happen for much less than his current salary price.

Either way, the Wizards need to amnesty Lewis. There's no doubt about it.

4.  Should the Wizards go with frontcourt depth in the draft?

The Wizards certainly have needs across the board heading into the draft, but their biggest need is certainly bolstering their frontcourt that is now solidified by Nene Hilario.

Players the Wizards should target are guys like Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson, Michigan State power forward Draymond Green and West Virginia power forward Kevin Jones.

All of those players could benefit from playing alongside a veteran like Nene, and they are all players who played at least three years in college.

Their collegiate experience, mixed with experience leading their teams in the NCAA tournament, will help them make a more immediate impact than other players who might have more raw potential.

No matter who the Wizards draft, they certainly need to go with frontcourt depth above any other need that exists on their roster.

5.  Will the Wizards be able to pull in any high-profile free agents this offseason?

If the Wizards amnesty Rashard Lewis, they might be able to reel in free agents like O.J. Mayo, Jamal Crawford or Michael Beasley. While those players would have to give up hopes of joining title-caliber teams, they would at least be able to get paid the big bucks.

It might be a stretch for the Wizards to reel in a truly high-profile free agent, but with the right draft picks, the Wizards can create enough interest in their team to help lure a mid-range free agent that can certainly help bolster their roster.

Don't hold your breath on guys like Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen signing with the Wizards. That's absolutely not going to happen.

No. 1 Charlotte Bobcats: 25 Percent Chance of No. 1 Pick

1.  Is going with Anthony Davis really the best move for the Bobcats to make?

I know I'll get some flak for this, but I honestly don't think Anthony Davis is the smartest move for the Bobcats to make in this year's draft. Yes, Davis has the highest upside of any prospect in this year's draft, but that doesn't mean he's the player the Bobcats absolutely need to take.

If I was the general manager of the Bobcats and landed the No. 1 overall pick, I'd trade it for a veteran player that could help my young and inexperienced team develop.

The last thing the Bobcats need is another developmental, athletic player that can't have an immediate impact in making the Bobcats a legitimate contender or even just an average team in the East.

I may be in the minority here, but I think the Bobcats have wiser routes they can take than drafting Anthony Davis.

2.  Which direction should the Bobcats go in with their second-round pick (No. 31 overall)?

In all honesty, the Bobcats could draft any position with their second-round pick and it would be a success. That's just how badly the Bobcats need talent at nearly every position on their depth chart.

Picking one spot for the Bobcats to focus on with the No. 31 pick in the draft, I'd go with the small forward position. With guys like Derrick Brown, Corey Maggette and Reggie Williams on their roster, it's safe to say the Bobcats need to add depth and youth at the small forward spot.

A player they should target is Syracuse forward Kris Joseph. He's the kind of player that could add immediate bench production behind Maggette while also developing into a starter once Maggette is gone.

3.  Should the Bobcats move forward with Kemba Walker or D.J. Augustin?

If D.J Augustin gets an offer from another team this offseason, the Bobcats should certainly let him go because their future is established in Kemba Walker, not Augustin.

Not only is Walker a more athletic and versatile player, he's also a better leader. While that hasn't helped the Bobcats yet, it certainly will in the future. As Walker gets legitimate talent around him and develops into a more solidified NBA point guard, his ability to lead will set him apart from other players in the league.

I know the Bobcats implemented a set that had Walker and Augustin playing at the same time, but that was out of necessity, not out of best practice. Here's to hoping the Bobcats part ways with Augustin this offseason.

4.  Is Bismack Biyombo going to be a piece of the Bobcats' future?

The Bobcats drafted Biyombo knowing that he was a developmental player, and his averages of 5.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game proved just that.

While Biyombo is still a raw talent, there's no doubt that with the right coaching he can turn into a solid player in the NBA, similar to the way Serge Ibaka has developed into a solid frontman for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It may be hard to see right now, but yes, Biyombo will undoubtedly be a piece of the Bobcats' future as a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference. It may take two or three more years, but Biyombo will be a solid big man in the NBA—you can count on that.

5.  Will the Bobcats finally be active in free agency this offseason?

The Bobcats are one team that has never been active in free agency, and that won't change this season.

It won't necessarily be because the Bobcats won't be interested in any free agents. It will unfortunately be because free agents won't be interested in joining the Bobcats.

The only way the Bobcats can attract players to bring their talents to Charlotte is by overpaying, and that's something the Bobcats can't afford to do right now.

The Bobcats will have to rebuild through the draft, and luckily they'll have two picks within the first 31 selections to do just that—with one potentially being the coveted No. 1 overall spot.