2012 NBA Draft Order: Lottery Teams Poised to Make Playoff Push Next Season

Wes ODonnellJun 1, 2012

We know the Charlotte Bobcats and Washington Wizards are going nowhere fast—and we could even lump the Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets into that group as well—but not every team in the lottery is at a complete loss regardless of who they draft.

Obviously, teams such as Houston, Phoenix and Milwaukee, who all pick late in the lottery and were battling for playoff berths, should be relevant again in the conversation next season.

But the conversation does not include just them. One free-agent pickup and one smart draft pick and any number of lottery teams could make something happen.

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Here's a look at a few lottery teams with the best chance to push for postseason play next year.

(Full order listed, with teams highlighted)

1. New Orleans Hornets

2. Charlotte Bobcats

3. Washington Wizards

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

Make no mistake about it, Kyrie Irving is the real deal. The reigning Rookie of Year will continue to get better and should have the luxury of playing alongside another potential superstar this year, courtesy of this No. 4 selection.

And we cannot forget about last year's No. 4 selection, Tristan Thompson. After an inauspicious start, the 21-year-old started to come on and showed flashes of potential brilliance. On top of that, they have the one player every team needs: a total hustle player in Anderson Varejao.

They'll be looking for a legitimate scoring threat with this pick and should get the opportunity to land Bradley Beal of Florida or Harrison Barnes of UNC. Or, if things get weird, they couldn't possibly pass up on Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, even though his weakness is a consistent offensive game.

They also have a late first-rounder to work with as well.

Don't get me wrong, the Cavs are no lock for the No. 8 seed or anything, but with the right pick and a few smart moves in free agency, they're ready to challenge next season.

5. Sacramento Kings

6. Portland Trail Blazers (via Brooklyn)

Knowing all we know now, the Blazers fleeced the Nets in the Gerald Wallace trade, and things are looking up once again for a Portland team that had fallen quite far.

This team still sports a solid core, with LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews guaranteed to return, and they can match and offer more money than any other team in the case of restricted free agent Nicolas Batum. Even if they work a sign-and-trade with another team, they'll still get something else to work with.

That alone is two guaranteed starters, and they could potentially land one, two more or even three more through the draft/trade.

They could be a year away, or they could be ready to fire this year if they make all the right moves.

They nearly hit rock-bottom this year, so be surprised if they surge up next season.

7. Golden State Warriors

A top contender to trade out, possibly even working a deal for Batum from the Blazers, the Warriors have plenty to be excited about.

For one, they can't get much worse, and they have have Steph Curry and Klay Thompson leading the way out of the backcourt.

Batum would immediately start at the 3 as Dorell Wright is a) awful and b) likely on his way out with an expiring contract.

The Warriors plan to be big spenders and big movers this offseason. Don't surprised at all if they put something together and make a move towards a postseason position.

8. Toronto Raptors

9. Detroit Pistons

10. New Orleans Hornets (via Minnesota)

11. Portland Trail Blazers

See No. 6

12. Milwaukee Bucks

13. Phoenix Sun

14. Houston Rockets

15. Phialdelphia 76ers

16. Houston Rockets (via New York)

17. Dallas Mavericks

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)