NBA Draft 2012: Anthony Davis and Players Who Will Benefit Most from Lottery

While the vast majority of the NBA draft lottery on Wednesday night went the way it was expected to, there was certainly some movement that shook up the order. The New Orleans Hornets jumped from No. 4 to No. 1, and that essentially changed the complexion of the top four picks as everything was reshuffled.

It may not seem like a lot will change based on that shakeup, but there are a few prospects who were probably celebrating when the picks were revealed. Whether it is because a player is likely to go to a better team or because they seem like a lock to be selected higher in the draft, the lottery most definitely threw some things out of sorts.

Here are three prospective draftees who will ultimately benefit most from what transpired in Wednesday's NBA draft lottery.

Anthony Davis

Had the draft lottery gone according to this past season's records, Kentucky star forward Anthony Davis would be well on his way to becoming a Charlotte Bobcat. Things never seem to go right for the Bobcats this season, and the lottery was yet another example as they ended up with the No. 2 pick despite winning a mere seven games. Davis won't have to deal with the pathetic Bobcats though, as the Hornets will nab him with the top selection instead.

Davis would have put up monster numbers in Charlotte, but it is a very long way from even contending for a playoff spot. No player in their right mind wants to play for the Bobcats, and although the Hornets are far from ideal, they have some potential. Davis will still be the guy in New Orleans, but at least he will have some form of support in the upcoming season.

Thomas Robinson

Heading into the lottery, Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson seemed likely to be taken anywhere between No. 2 and No. 4. Due to the fact that Charlotte dropped down to that second spot, though, Robinson's chances of going second increased astronomically. The Bobcats aren't going to take Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal after selecting Kemba Walker out of UConn last season, and they probably won't take Kentucky forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist either since he is more of a complementary piece.

Robinson is the type of player who can be a cornerstone, and that is what the Bobcats need. Aside from Walker, they really have no exciting or promising players on the roster. Robinson was a true leader for the Jayhawks with his ability to score in the post and rebound, so he will be a go-to guy right away for the Bobcats. Playing in Charlotte may not be ideal for Robinson, but he can put up great numbers this season and the pay increase from No. 4 to No. 2 will soften the blow.

Kendall Marshall

The Brooklyn Nets' pick was a big point of discussion prior to the lottery because it was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers with top-three protection. Had it been drawn in the top three, the Nets would have received an elite prospect. That pick was chosen at No. 6, however, so it now belongs to Portland. The sixth pick is interesting because the upper tier will be gone by that point and there isn't really a right or wrong pick to be made.

Most prognosticators have North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall being selected somewhere in the teens, but the Blazers desperately need a floor general with Raymond Felton flopping. Marshall is being greatly underrated as he was the motor that ran the Tar Heel attack, and when he went down with an injury during the NCAA tournament, they sputtered. Marshall is the best true point in the draft by a long shot, and with the Blazers getting that No. 6 pick, he may be going a lot earlier than initially thought.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter