NBA Draft Lottery 2012: Hornets and Teams That Will Drastically Improve

The order of the NBA Draft Lottery is set, and now it is more clear which of these teams stand to improve the most.

Three teams stand out to me as franchises that could not only improve, but challenge for a playoff spot next season. I have considered cap space, draft picks, and the current rosters when compiling this list.

It's obvious the Hornets are looking good going into the 2012-2013 season, but it goes deeper than getting the No. 1 pick.

Let's take a closer look at why the Hornets' future is bright, as well as two other teams that stand to markedly improve next season.

New Orleans Hornets

The Picks — No. 1 and No. 10

The Hornets will almost certainly take Anthony Davis with the top selection. He will add an immediate defensive presence and athleticism to the Hornets' frontcourt. The decision the team should make with the No. 10 pick isn't quite as clear.

I believe they need a point guard most of all, and drafting Kendall Marshall of North Carolina would make sense—if he's available. The direction of this pick could be affected by the Hornets' confidence in re-signing restricted free agent Eric Gordon.

If Gordon leaves, then they have to consider drafting a shooting guard.

The Cap Space — Near $20 million

With Chris Kaman and Carl Landry coming off the books, the Hornets have the cap room to max-out Gordon or another player. In addition they could also add a second-tier free agent as well.

This team is in position to upgrade its talent from last year's roster at four positions. That is significant.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Picks — No. 6 and No. 11

With two lottery selections the Blazers can fill two of their biggest holes: point guard and center. Weber State's Damian Lillard would be a solid pick, and they may even be able to trade down to get him.

Tyler Zeller would be a solid pick at No. 11. He isn't a potential superstar, but he plays hard, defends and is fundamentally sound. That is all the Blazers need if he plays next to Aldridge.

The Cap Space — At least $14 million

The cap total could reach $20 million if Jamal Crawford opts out of his contract.

The Blazers were a solid team early on, but they fell apart in the middle of the season. This team has talent: LaMarcus Aldridge is a proven star, and Nicolas Batum is a solid young role player. The latter is a restricted free agent, and the Blazers could lose him, as he has indicated he won't be waiting around for them, per Chris Haynes of CSN Northwest.

If he bolts the Blazers will have even more cap room. Batum is a talent, but he isn't irreplaceable.

The team would still have room for a second-tier free agent to add depth. The Blazers could make the playoffs in this likely scenario.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Pick — No. 4

The Cavaliers are in a good spot; at No. 4 they should get a quality wing-player. In my opinion, the player that fits them best is Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

He excels in the open floor, he is a stat-sheet stuffer, he defends and most importantly he will continue to better the Cavaliers' culture. He has great character, work ethic and off-the-chart intangibles.

If one of the three teams ahead of the Cavs selects MKG, which is possible, they'll have to look elsewhere for a wing player. I'm not a big fan of Bradley Beal, but he is a scoring shooting guard. If MKG is gone, the Cavs would be wise to trade down and select Jeremy Lamb or Terrence Ross.

I believe both of them will be better than Beal in the NBA. Either way the Cavs should come up with a prospect that improves their current roster.

The Cap Space — Over $20 million

The Cavs have cleared salaries masterfully, and the final huge and useless contract is set to fall off this offseason (Antawn Jamison $15 million).

They are in position to acquire a max-free agent (if one will come to Cleveland) and a second-tier free agent. Those two players could be teamed with Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving, promising young big man Tristan Thompson and the prospect they acquire with their first-round pick.

The Cavs were already on the upswing—they won more games (21) in this truncated season than they did in the full 2010-2011 season (19).

This offseason should make the Cavs even better.

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