NBA Draft 2012: Teams That Must Trade Their Premium Picks

Now that we know the official draft order for June 28's NBA Draft, we can finally put on our general manager hats and plot league-wide domination on behalf of our favorite struggling teams.

Life is good.

While most teams will hold on to their lottery selections and take advantage of an unusually deep draft, there's a good case to be made that some clubs should at least take a look at all their options.

For rosters already stocked with young talent, it may be time to bring in some veteran leadership. And, for clubs on the verge of vying for playoff positions, proven talent may be more useful than kids with a lot of upside.

Advantageous trades rarely present themselves, but when they do, here are some teams that should listen.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets have the 14th selection in the lottery, but they'll have a second crack at an impact rookie two spots later with the 16th selection as well. Houston already has a number of quality young players like point guard Kyle Lowry, free-agent guard Goran Dragic, 24-year-old Chase Budinger and rookie Chandler Parsons.

But, Houston also features a few veterans like Luis Scola and Kevin Martin. Rather than get much younger, the Rockets may want to use at least one of their picks in a bid to acquire a much-needed star to put this already-solid franchise over the top.

New Orleans Hornets

The Hornets probably won't have much interest in trading the first-overall pick in the draft, but they might have an easier time parting with that 10th selection. There will be plenty of good choices at that point in the lottery, but New Orleans will be an incredibly young team already. It might have more use for a playoff-tested veteran.

After all, there's really no reason the Hornets should have to remain in rebuilding mode for long. If the club indeed drafts Anthony Davis with its first choice, they'll have a rookie who's ready to make an instant impact. Even though shooting guard Eric Gordon is still just 23, we already know he's prepared to do the same.

With plenty of cap space to absorb larger contracts in a trade, it would be somewhat surprising if New Orleans does not at least keeping its ears open.

Portland Trail Blazers

Like the Hornets, the Trail Blazers have two lottery picks to work with. They also have a roster that should soon find itself regularly participating in the postseason. With guys like LaMarcus Aldridge, Nic Batum and Wesley Matthews, it's a bit hard to imagine this club trying to get too much younger.

It would be somewhat shocking if Portland traded both of its picks, though. It will have shots at impact players like Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb, Harrison Barnes or Damian Lillard—all capable of earning playing time early on.