NBA Lottery 2012: Which Team Can Make a Postseason Run in 2013 with a Top-3 Pick

The NBA operates a bit differently than the NFL and MLB which use the anticlimactic system of awarding the draft slot based on the record, worst to first.

By using the lottery system, the team with the worst record during the past season (or in NBA history in this case) is not necessarily guaranteed the No. 1 pick.

With the draft featuring so many raw players (considering the amount of underclassmen that have declared for the draft), teams must be patient in their approach of developing these young men.

Here are three teams that can have a drastic improvement in their record next season by selecting a big-time player in the draft. 

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards suffered through a miserable 20-46 season in 2012-13.

Fortunately, there is hope for the fanbase as they have a solid young nucleus of players, and they currently have a 55.74 percent chance of landing a top three pick in the draft.

They play in the difficult Southeast division which is occupied by the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks, but they can receive a huge boost with a big man in the post.

The Wizards ranked 20th in the NBA in rebounds and 20th in points allowed.

John Wall and Jordan Crawford represent hope for the fanbase, and if they can land Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond, they will have a chance to play .500 ball next season if players develop rapidly.

Everyone in Washington will be doing "The John Wall" in that event.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have fallen on hard times since the much-publicized departure of LeBron James.

They can turn around their franchise, however, if they are able to pair Kyrie Irving with a top three pick who can combine for a formidable duo for years to come.

The Cavaliers were 26th in opponents' points per game and 25th in offensive points per game. This shows that they would benefit greatly from either a defensive-minded player such as Anthony Davis or a scoring threat such as Thomas Robinson or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Irving had a tremendous rookie season as he was the Rookie of the Year and a unanimous choice for the All-Rookie team.

They have a 13.8 percent chance of snagging the first pick, but more importantly they have a 43 percent chance of locking up a top three pick.

Either of the top five talents would benefit them greatly, and pairing a young center with Irving would allow the two young players to develop together and enter their prime around the same time.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers' chances of landing a top three pick stand at a slim 2.9 percent.

If they are able to, however, they could be a very popular pick to make the postseason considering they have lots of pieces in place already.

LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the most dominating power forwards in the game, as he averaged 21.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Raymond Felton is a serviceable point guard who averaged 11.4 points and 6.5 assists per game.

Nicolas Batum, their first-round pick three years ago, is another solid young player who will be improving as well.

If they could land a defensive-minded player, they could shoot up in the standings in the Western Conference next season.