NBA Lottery 2012: Options for Teams Destined to Pick Outside the Top 10

There are four teams in this year's NBA lottery with less than a one percent chance at the No. 1 pick: the Portland Trail Blazers (0.8 percent, second lottery pick), the Milwaukee Bucks (0.7 percent), the Phoenix Suns (0.6 percent) and the Houston Rockets (0.5 percent).

All of these teams have extremely slim chances at the No. 1 pick and most likely will occupy picks No. 11-14.

Still, there are plenty of players who can make these teams better at that position. Here are each of the four teams matched up with a prospect that will likely be available to them.

Portland Trail Blazers — Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina

Zeller is a true seven-footer who is committed to rebounding and playing defense.

He is exactly the type of player that the Blazers need as the team’s options at center are weak.

Zeller’s size and hustle will make him an ideal complement to LaMarcus Aldridge. His hustle on the glass led to an average of 9.6 boards per game.

He has all the intangibles for a long NBA career, and his willingness to do the dirty work will free up Aldridge to maximize his offensive output.

Milwaukee Bucks — Arnett Moultrie, PF, Mississippi State

Moultrie is an athletic big man with a versatile offensive game. At 6’11” and 225 pounds, he is physically ready for the NBA.

After trading away Andrew Bogut, the Bucks need size badly. Moultrie averaged a double-double during his junior year with the Bulldogs, so he gives them exactly what they need.

He is a good scorer on the low block and can also step outside and knock down jump shots.

With Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis in the backcourt, the Bucks need big men who can run the floor. That is another area where Moultrie excels and adds another reason for the Bucks to bring him on board. 

Phoenix Suns — Perry Jones III, PF, Baylor

Jones is one of the most athletic players in the draft, and he would be a great weapon for Steve Nash.

He is 6’11” with the ability to score from anywhere. He averaged 13.5 points per game for Baylor on 50 percent shooting from the field. 

With Jones on the floor, Suns fans will have flashbacks to Nash running the pick-and-roll with a young Amare Stoudemire.

Stoudemire is not a great comparison to Jones, but the Baylor forward has elite speed, size and jumping ability. These are all qualities that Nash would love to work with.

Houston Rockets — Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky

The Rockets have a lot of athletic players who thrive on the wing, but Jones would add versatility.

He is 6’8” but has a 7’3” wingspan, which allowed him to pull down 7.2 boards per game for the Wildcats last season.

He is also an excellent ball-handler and can excel in a point forward role. 

The Rockets have a young team that can score in bunches and Jones would allow them to continue to do just that.