NBA Lottery 2012: Ranking Best Options for Charlotte Bobcats with 2nd Pick

The Charlotte Bobcats can't even win the draft lottery.

After a pitiful 7-59 season that proved just how devoid of talent the Bobcats' roster was, it was evident just how badly this team could have used a franchise-changing player like Anthony Davis.

Instead, the New Orleans Hornets won the lottery, and the Bobcats find themselves with a number of options with the second pick. Whom they decide to select will seriously alter the rest of the lottery, and there are a number of worthy players they must consider.

But who are those players? Which is likely to be the best pro? Who is the safest pick? Who is the riskiest? Which player would be the best fit?

These are all questions the Bobcats must answer. For now, I have a few answers of my own.

1. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

In my opinion, Kidd-Gilchrist offers both reliability and huge upside as a prospect. At worst, he'll be a solid defender and rebounder at small forward who is deadly in transition, but struggles scoring in a half-court offense.

At best, he'll be a poor man's LeBron James, impacting the game in every possible way. He has the potential to defend multiple positions, attack the rim, be a physical force as he continues to fill out and develop into an excellent scorer as he continues to evolve his offensive game.

Oh, and he's an unselfish teammate, natural leader and hard worker and his attitude could go a long way toward erasing the losing culture in Charlotte. If I were the general manager, he would be my pick.

2. Thomas Robinson

If not MKG, I'd go with Robinson. The Bobcats could seriously use an upgrade at power forward, and Robinson is the best player available to fill that need.

Like MKG, he's a fairly safe selection. He was a double-double machine this year at Kansas and was a Player of the Year candidate. He's got excellent athleticism and it's unlikely he'll ever be out-worked on the court. His maturity and advanced game would make him an immediate factor for the Bobcats next season.

If the Bobcats want to focus more on improving their post play rather than securing a future rock on the wing, Robinson should be the pick. He doesn't have the upside of MKG, but like Kemba Walker last year, should be able to make an instant impact his rookie year.

3. Bradley Beal

Beal is an excellent prospect and hands-down the top shooting guard available, but I don't love him for Charlotte.

While the team obviously doesn't have elite talent at the guard position, they got steady play from Walker (12.1 PPG, 4.4 APG), Gerald Henderson (15.1 PPG) and D.J. Augustin (11.1 PPG, 6.4 APG) this season.

All three are 24 are younger, and while the team will need to add a bit more size in the backcourt down the line, guards shouldn't be this team's first priority in the draft. And with talented options to be had at the forward and center positions, Charlotte should pass on Beal.

4. Andre Drummond

He is one of this draft's biggest question marks. On one hand, he's a true center with a crazy wingspan and elite athleticism that looks like he should be a superstar at the next level.

On the other, he's a bit mild-mannered, was never dominant at UConn and doesn't seem to translate all of his gifts to his game. He may only be 18, but he has "future under-achiever" written all over him.

It's hard to resist athletic big men with huge upside, but in this case I think the Bobcats should resist. They need to nail this pick. They need a player that will be a solid contributor for the next 10 years. They can't afford to swing and miss.

Drummond has too much miss potential. The Bobcats would be far better served selecting either MKG or Robinson.

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