NBA Draft Lottery 2012: Issues Every Lottery Team Must Address in the Draft

If your team’s in the NBA Draft Lottery, they need to get better. More than likely, they need to find certain guys to plug into certain positions to help drag themselves out of the lottery and into the playoffs next year.

Too often, fans see their teams draft the best available player rather than finding someone who will fit into the team’s makeup.

By heeding the following advice, these 13 lottery teams can immediately improve.

Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats need to get better, plain and simple.

The Bobcats have a decent backcourt with Kemba Walker and D.J. Augustin, but it’s no certainty Augustin will stay.

Charlotte can improve itself at just about any position in the draft.

Anthony Davis should help the ’Cats start on the road to improvement.

Washington Wizards

John Wall and Nenê give the Washington Wizards a breath of hope for the future.

Wall is as quick as they come and Nenê is a solid post.

Andray Blatche adds potential on the front line, but Washington must improve at the wing position.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could be a great addition to the roster.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Reigning Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving is the only bonafide NBA starter on Cleveland’s roster.

Finding a pick-and-roll partner for him who can double up as a low-post threat should be the Cavs' top priority.

Kansas’ Thomas Robinson fits that bill.

New Orleans Hornets (Two Picks)

The New Orleans Hornets have some pieces in place, and with two lottery picks this year could build on that foundation to become a playoff contender in 2013.

A big issue is whether the team re-signs Chris Kaman.

If the front office plans on letting Kaman go, targeting a big man like UConn’s Andre Drummond should be the top priority.

That would free up the Hornets’ second pick to find another backcourt weapon to go along with Eric Gordon. Kendall Marshall or Damian Lillard could be a good pick late in the lottery.

Sacramento Kings

Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins give the Sacramento Kings two promising young talents.

Finding a third piece to co-exist with those two players is the Kings’ goal.

Harrison Barnes could step into that role and give Sacramento its own Young Three to develop in the near future.

Brooklyn Nets

The only way the Brooklyn Nets get into the lottery is if they land in the top three. That gives them the opportunity to add a promising young player in hopes that Deron Williams will re-sign.

An offensively polished big man like Thomas Robinson or a potentially dominant big man like Andre Drummond may entice Williams to stay with the Nets.

Golden State Warriors

Trading Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut is a terrific maneuver if Bogut can stay healthy in California.

That creates a dangerous foursome of Bogut, David Lee, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

The missing piece is at small forward.

Terrence Jones could step into that void and contribute immediately.

Toronto Raptors

Andrea Bargnani and Amir Johnson give Toronto mediocre players in the post. Unfortunately for the Raptors, that’s where they’re strongest.

Improving the backcourt with a guy like Bradley Beal will pay dividends for the Raptors.

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have three steady backcourt players in Ben Gordon, Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey. Detroit could improve its guard play, but that’s not the biggest issue.

Getting bigger is the immediate concern.

A guy like Arnett Moultrie—who can play any of the three frontcourt positions—would be a valuable pick for the Motor City.

Portland Trail Blazers (Possibly Two Picks)

If the Nets do not get a top-three pick, the Portland Trail Blazers will have two picks in this year’s lottery.

That will allow them to address two pressing concerns: center and point guard.

The Blazers need to find pieces to surround LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews and Elliot Williams.

Jared Sullinger and Kendall Marshall are two players the Blazers’ fantasy general manager should keep his eye on.

Milwaukee Bucks

Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis make an electric guard duo.

Right now, however, those two are all the Bucks have going for themselves.

Picking up an athletic big man who can get up and down the floor with these two would make Milwaukee dangerous.

John Henson, Perry Jones or Tyler Zeller could all find a nice home in the Milwaukee frontcourt.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are in an interesting situation. The Suns can try to keep Steve Nash for another season or two, or turn the reins over to Aaron Brooks now that he’s back from China.

If Phoenix decides Brooks is not the long-term replacement for Nash, the Suns should find that guy. Damian Lillard could be the one they’re looking for.

If Phoenix is confident in Brooks’ ability, finding an off-guard or small forward becomes the goal. Terrence Ross or Moe Harkless can both fill that wing position.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have got to find a center. That is far and away the biggest concern and has been since Yao Ming left.

Meyers Leonard or Tyler Zeller should be available when Houston steps to the podium.