NBA Draft Lottery 2012: Golden State Warriors and Teams with Most to Lose

It's the time of the year where everyone has something to gain. On one hand, you have the teams and players who are fighting to add to their legacy, thus bringing in an NBA championship. On the other hand, you have the teams who have been awaiting May 30 since the day their season ended.

May 30, of course, is the date of the 2012 NBA draft lottery.

For some, this is a date that inspires hope and excitement for the future. For others, the night will lead to nothing but anxiety and discomfort as the fate of their franchise temporarily rests in a machine filled with ping pong balls.

As for who those teams sweating and struggling will be, the answer lies in the following slides.

6. Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have players with star value, but let's be real for a second, folks. There is a big difference between having a few fan favorites on your roster and having a legitimate playoff contender.

For the past three seasons, fans and analysts alike have predicted the Milwaukee Bucks were finally ready to make the leap. Each and every year, we were all left wondering what could have been.

In order to solidify the Bucks' status as a force in the East, it's pivotal the team lands Andrew Bogut's replacement. Should they fail to land Tyler Zeller, that is very likely to occur.

The higher the better for Milwaukee. The lower the more likely it becomes they trade down.

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

5. New Orleans Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets have virtually nothing to be excited about as they enter the 2012 offseason.

In 2011, the franchise lost its best two players, Chris Paul and David West. In 2012, the Hornets could potentially lose the player they traded Paul to acquire, future star Eric Gordon. In 2013, this team may not have enough on the roster to win a single game.

To assure themselves of a bright future, the New Orleans Hornets have high hopes for their two lottery picks. Should those two picks fall lower than expected, however, the potential addition of a franchise player and a franchise point guard may not be so realistic.

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: First Round, Picks 4 and 10

4. Utah Jazz

Should the Golden State Warriors' Top-7 protected pick fall to eighth or below, the Jazz's pursuit of a franchise point guard will come to an end. Should the Jazz fail to retain the rights to the draft choice, they will be waiting until the 47th pick of the night to land anything.

Perhaps no team has as much to gain as the Utah Jazz. The Jazz may also have the most to lose, as very few will go home as empty-handed as the eighth-seed in the Western Conference.

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: Second Round, Pick 47

3. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are in an interesting position, as they will own a first-round draft choice, as well as two second-round picks. The issue is, the first round draft choice comes 30th overall and the Warriors are the furthest thing from ready for the future.

Should the Warriors retain their Top-7 protected pick, Golden State may find a way to finally improve at the 3. The Warriors may also find themselves with the opportunity to select a point guard in better health than Stephen Curry.

Should they fail to, it will be a gamble on someone at the end of the round. The Warriors need to retain this draft choice.

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: First Round, Picks 7 (Top-7 Protected) and 30; Second Round, Picks 35 and 52

2. Brooklyn Nets

You'd be hard-pressed to find a team whose best-case scenario ranges so far from its worst-case scenario. You'd also be hard-pressed to find a team with odds stacked higher against it than the Brooklyn Nets.

Should the Nets' draft choice fall outside of the Top-3, the Portland Trail Blazers will retain the rights to the choice that they acquired via the Gerald Wallace deal. This would leave the Nets, who finished towards the bottom of the league, with no draft choices until the 57th pick of the draft.

That's the difference between landing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Terrance Henry. If you don't know who that is, you're not alone.

Pre-Lottery Draft Position: Second Round, Pick 57

1. Charlotte Bobcats

There were plenty of terrible teams this past season, with deficiencies of youth and insufficient talent preventing any chance at achieving mediocrity. There were no teams, nor words, to compare to or describe the Charlotte Bobcats.

If you need proof, note that the Bobcats finished with the league's worst record.

Should the Charlotte Bobcats fail to select first overall, thus failing to land Anthony Davis, these struggles are likely to continue. There's nothing more exciting for a franchise or basketball community than landing a first overall draft choice, which is a fundamental step to improving in Charlotte.

It's No. 2 or nothing for the Charlotte Bobcats.

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