NBA Draft Lottery 2012: Why Washington Wizards Will Have a Very Successful Draft

Washington was hoping the ping pong balls would bounce their way, and they were hoping for the top pick in the draft.

However, the Hornets ended up with the first pick. And the Bobcats took home the second.

The Wizards finally ended up with the third pick, which isn't exactly what they hoped for with the second-worst record in the NBA. However, in a draft class with four players head and shoulders above the rest of the class, the Wizards should be fine.

Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal, Thomas Robinson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist have all played great basketball and staged a fine resume for a high draft pick. Davis should be drafted by the Hornets with the top pick, but the other three aren't bad options either.

The Bobcats will probably pick either Robinson or Kidd-Gilchrist. Charlotte's current small forward, Corey Maggette, may get amnestied, but if he doesn't, he is getting old and can't lead Charlotte anywhere near the playoffs.

Kidd-Gilchrist is a great leader, a great defender, a high-energy guy and someone who can guide a struggling team to victory. The Bobcats will probably pick him, but if they don't, Kidd-Gilchrist and John Wall would combine to form a great backcourt.

Robinson and Beal would be the guys left for the Wizards. Beal is a good shooter, an athletic player and a great rebounder. He has good ball-handling skills, although he plays best at shooting guard.

With Wall running the point, Beal is a guy the Wizards need to consider. Wall would set him up for good looks, and he would be able to knock down shots and grab rebounds while honing his skills. Washington is a great place for Beal to go, so the Wizards need to consider Beal.

However, Robinson is likely the guy the Wizards would take. He is a better rebounder than Wall, and while he is somewhat raw and will need time to hone his skills, he and Wall would be a formidable duo.

Robinson is very athletic and he uses every bit of his ability to grab rebounds, draw fouls (and make free throws) and score points. With Wall setting him up and letting him use his talents, imagine what the Wizards could do.

Wall is a good passer, and he could set Robinson up down low, as long as Robinson improves his physical post play and becomes a good target for Wall. T-Rob can rebound and averages a double-double, so the Wizards would improve in that category.

With T-Rob and Wall as the core, the Wizards would have success, and they'd certainly be a fun team to watch. Wall would do a good job of getting Robinson involved, and Robinson would draw fouls, score points, and grab boards.

No matter who the Wizards get, it seems like they will end up winning in the long-term. Robinson is a high-risk prospect, and the Wizards will have to bring him up right and give him time to hone his skills and adjust to the NBA. However, I still expect that picking Robinson would pay off.

Picking any one of these four guys would pay off, and I expect the Wizards to have a very successful draft.