NBA Draft 2012: Latest Rumors and Buzz Following NBA Draft Lottery

The 2012 NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, with the New Orleans Hornets winning the honor of selecting first in this June's draft.

For every moment of glory the Hornets experienced, however, there were moments of anguish for teams league-wide.

As for how teams are coping with the letdown, as well as bracing for the next ride of turbulence, the following slides will provide all of the necessary answers.

Monty Williams Hides but Hints at Who First Overall Pick Will Be

Monty Williams refuses to address Anthony Davis as the first overall draft choice. What he will do, however, is allude to the Kentucky star in every way possible.

According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, Williams said in a conference call that:

"

I've talked about (adding) length for two years now. Not only that, but adding a game-changer...The problem I see is trying to put too much pressure on those guys (No. 1 and No. 10 picks) to say they need to save an organization, or save a team.

"

Hoopsworld's Alex Kennedy confirmed the ambiguity.

In other words, Anthony Davis is coming to New Orleans. The only question is who will join him.

Landing Anthony Davis Could Secure Eric Gordon

According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, Hornets head coach Monty Williams is quite confident that Eric Gordon will be interested in returning to New Orleans. Landing Anthony Davis is a major reason as to why.

Coach Williams said:

"

Since Eric came to New Orleans, even before he hurt his knee, he’s always expressed to me that he was comfortable being in New Orleans. He intimated to me that this was the kind of team, the kind of coaching, that he wanted. That’s all I can go off of...(But) when you get a No. 1 pick, that’s an enticement not only to Eric but other free agents around the league.

"

Could Monty Williams be right? Will this keep Eric Gordon in uniform? Will other free agents join the fray and turn the New Orleans Hornets around?

I believe he is.

Just temper your expectations, folks. Deron Williams isn't coming to town.

Is the Draft Lottery Rigged?

While I'm not one for conspiracies, rumors have already begun to swirl of the NBA rigging the lottery in the New Orleans Hornets' favor.

After all, the NBA has done everything in its power to help the Hornets.

From declining the Chris Paul trade to the Los Angeles Lakers to accepting a deal that was clearly more lopsided than the previous, it appears the tanking has all led to this—the Hornets landing the first overall draft choice.

Who else thinks so?

Billy King Does Not Regret Trading Pick

According to Alex Raskin of Hoopsworld.com, Brooklyn Nets general manager Billy King does not regret trading away what would have been the sixth overall draft choice for Gerald Wallace.

He even had some parting shots for whoever Portland selects:

"

“What Gerald Wallace brings to the table is a lot better than some of the other guys,” said King, who expects to be able to re-sign Wallace if and when the veteran opts out. “It may take (the rookies) two or three years and, like I said, we’re trying to win right away. Deron (Williams) is getting older and we don’t want to be in a rebuilding process."

"

Should the Brooklyn Nets fail to retain Deron Williams, King may begin to regret this trade. He may also begin to sweat his security as the Nets' GM.

Could the Cavaliers Trade Up?

According to Cleveland.com, Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant "feels great" about landing the fourth overall draft choice. Grant, however, did not rule out improving that position.

When asked about whether or not the Cavaliers would trade up, Grant responded by saying:

"

I don't know if we know the answer to that yet. One thing we've talked about a lot with our ownership group is we like being aggressive. We'll look at a lot of different options once we get everyone in here, but I presume we'll be pretty active.

"

Whether it's trading up for a lottery pick or elsewhere, the Cavaliers have plenty to work with. On top of the fourth overall draft choice, the Cavs are also working with the 24th, 33rd and 34th draft picks.

Hard to imagine their staying still.

Perry Jones III Impresses Scouts

According to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, there haven't been many players who have impressed quite like Perry Jones III out of Baylor.

One anonymous GM reportedly let that be known with rather emphatic comments:

"

"That sort of talent doesn't come along very often," one GM said. "As I was watching the workout, I thought you finally got to see what a freed-up Perry Jones could do if a coach just lets him be himself. He could be a dominant, and I mean dominant, forward with his size, athletic ability and skill set. I think he's a hard worker and will be a much better contributor if you give him the chance to be himself. I'd have no concerns drafting him in the top five. He could be a home run of a pick."

"

This confirms what many fans and analysts had believed all along. While Jones III underwhelmed at the collegiate level, he was often forced to play in the paint where he just isn't comfortable. Scouts and general managers had the Baylor big working out on the wing.

He did not impress everyone, though. Another anonymous GM had an opposing belief:

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Could he be great? Sure. But I think he's a major project and a major risk. There are safer picks in the top 10 with very good upsides. I think there's a good chance that he slides in the draft as people continue to wrestle with who he is.

"

There's good reason behind this. Perry Jones III is as intriguing a prospect as any, but as the same GM said, his upside exceeds his short-term talent:

"

I know he wants to be a 3, but I don't think he does anything that we ask our 3s to do that is special. He's not a great shooter. He doesn't have a great handle. He's not an aggressive defender. He's got great size and athleticism, but he's not skilled enough. That means he'll end up being a stretch 4, which is a euphemism for a guy who doesn't have a position.

"

Jones III could go in the top five or fall beyond the top 10. Some love him, and some will keep their distance.

What's Next for the Charlotte Bobcats?

In case you've missed out on the past year of basketball, the Charlotte Bobcats aren't very good. They finished the lockout-shortened season with the worst win percentage in the history of the NBA, finishing the season at 7-59 for a .106 win percentage.

Apparently, the basketball gods have shown no pity.

In 2002, the city of New Orleans took the Hornets from the city of Charlotte. Ten years later, that same city of New Orleans took the first overall draft choice from the city of Charlotte. This is like Denver taking both John Elway and Peyton Manning from the Indianapolis Colts.

But worse.

So, what's next for Charlotte? Who will it land with the second overall draft choice? At this point, no one seems to know.

Jeffery Taylor's Impressive Senior Season a Fluke

As a freshman, Jeffery Taylor shot 22.0 percent from distance. As a sophomore, Taylor shot just 9.1 percent from beyond the arc. In 2011, Taylor posted a then career-best 34.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

And then came 2012, where Taylor thrived, shooting 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. But don't think that he impressed scouts very much.

According to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, scouts and general managers believe that Taylor's solid senior season was a fluke. This is why he has fallen down draft boards and emerged as a late first-round prospect.

Don't be surprised to see him fall further.