NBA Draft 2012: 5 Teams That Should Trade Up for No. 2 Pick

News flash:

The Charlotte Bobcats were bad in 2011. Really bad.

In a shortened 66-game season, Charlotte won just nine games. Despite having arguably the worst season in NBA history, the Bobcats will not be making the first pick in the 2012 draft. They'll instead be picking second.

That is, unless they trade the pick.

Having lost 59 of 66 games, it's obvious that Charlotte needs a lot of help, so much help that they may be better off trading down and accumulating pieces rather than selecting a player at No. 2 and hoping he has strong enough shoulders to support an entire NBA franchise.

With several talented prospects at the top of the draft, an impressive package will need to be offered for Charlotte to consider moving out of its position. A potential trade seems far more likely if Charlotte's trading partner has a pick in the lottery. That would allow the Bobcats to select a rookie capable of making an instant impact, along with adding several other players to a depleted roster.

Who are five teams that could, or should, show interest in trading up for the No. 2 pick? And if they had the second pick, who would they take?

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Despite losing the best player in the world two summers ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers have perhaps the most important piece to a successful team—a reliable point guard.

If Cleveland can find a long-term running mate for Kyrie Irving, they'll be in position to make some noise in the Eastern Conference. It's possible that an impact player will be available for the Cavs with the fourth overall pick, but trading up for the second pick would ensure that they are able to land their top target.

Thomas Robinson is a possibility. He would give the Cavs a building block in the post and a player who could help to balance the workload between him and talented young point guard. But heading into this month's draft, there are two players who would be even better fits alongside Irving—North Carolina's Harrison Barnes and, even more so, Florida shooting guard Brad Beal.

In my opinion, Beal is the second-best prospect in the 2012 draft class. He's an elite, natural three-point shooter and he'd benefit greatly from playing alongside a promising young point guard like Irving.

With 2012 being an election year and Ohio being an important swing state, keep an eye out for an "Irving-Beal" ticket on your ballot.

Cavs' 2nd Overall Pick: SG Brad Beal, Florida

2. Sacramento Kings

Sacramento's starting five has two key pieces—Tyreke Evans, a versatile perimeter player, and DeMarcus Cousins, a talented albeit undisciplined post player.

In 2012, Isaiah Thomas, the Kings' rookie 5' 9" point guard, played much bigger than his small stature would suggest. Thomas took control of the starting point guard position, allowing Evans to play a combination of shooting guard and small forward.

Although Sacramento could stay at its current position in the draft and add a quality player at No. 5, the Kings could add a real difference-maker if they move up to the second overall pick.

Assuming Anthony Davis is off the board, I think the Kings would consider several players. The jury is still out on the Jimmer Fredette experiment, but Brad Beal would certainly be an upgrade over Fredette or Marcus Thornton at shooting guard.

If they chose to add a different perimeter player, either Harrison Barnes or Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would be a nice addition alongside Evans. But the best fit for Sacramento in my opinion would be Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson.

Robinson may be the most NBA-ready forward in the draft, perhaps even more so than Davis, and he'd certainly look good next to Cousins, a budding superstar center.

Kings' 2nd Overall Pick: PF Thomas Robinson, Kansas

3. Milwaukee Bucks

After trading for Monta Ellis prior to last season's trade deadline, the quickest backcourt in basketball may very well be in Milwaukee.

One of the reasons why Golden State shipped Ellis to Milwaukee in exchange for center Andrew Bogut is that Ellis and Stephen Curry are similar players. Ultimately, the Warriors felt they'd be better off swapping one of their undersized scoring guards in exchange for a reliable post presence.

However, the move was somewhat surprising as Milwaukee now featured a lineup very similar to that of Golden State. Much like Ellis and Curry, Ellis and Brandon Jennings are small scoring guards faced with the challenge of balancing their shot selections. Even before the Bucks made this move, many had speculated about the future of Jennings as the starting point guard.

Some believe he's situating himself to bolt out of Milwaukee when his contract expires. If that's the case, they'd be wise to trade Jennings immediately to get something in return.

No disrespect to Kemba Walker, but if the Bobcats want to add a true "face" to their franchise, Jennings could be a real possibility, and the second overall pick would likely be a tempting asset for Milwaukee in exchange for its point guard.

If they were armed with the No.2 pick, the Bucks would have several options. They could try to replace Bogut with the draft's top center, Andre Drummond. They could keep Drew Gooden at center and draft Thomas Robinson to be their power forward. Or they could go small and add a perimeter player alongside Ellis.

The Bucks could use help at every position other than point guard and shooting guard, but I believe their selection with the second pick would be one of two players—high-motor swing man Michael Kidd-Gilchrist or sharpshooter Brad Beal.

Bucks head coach Scott Skiles stresses the importance of playing as a team and, most importantly, defense. Although he's not as natural a scorer as Beal or Harrison Barnes, the player who fits Skiles' criteria most closely is Kidd-Gilchrist.

Bucks' 2nd Overall Pick: SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky

4. Portland Trail Blazers

With two of the first 11 picks in the draft, the Portland Trail Blazers could end up with a much better team at the end of June than they had a few weeks earlier.

Portland could be in prime position to fill its need at center if Andre Drummond is still on the board with the sixth pick, or they could wait and select Meyers Leonard with the 11th pick. If they stay put and don't move up, I think Portland's best strategy would be to grab point guard Damian Lillard at No. 6 and Leonard at No.11. However, the possibility of trading up should not be ignored.

The Blazers certainly have enough ammunition to tempt Michael Jordan and the Bobcats to trade the second overall pick. When Brandon Roy retired, it created a glaring need for a scoring perimeter player, and the Blazers would have their choice of shooting guard or small forward at No. 2.

If the Trail Blazers think Raymond Felton and/or Jonny Flynn is worthy of being their starting point guard, moving up to No. 2 would make even more sense.

Wes Matthews is a good player, but he's known more for his solid defense than his ability as a scorer. Since Matthews is more than capable of guarding the opponent's best perimeter player, I think Portland would be wise to take a scorer such as Harrison Barnes over Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Barnes would instantly become the scoring punch that Portland lost when Brandon Roy's NBA was cut short ...at least for now.

Blazers' 2nd Overall Pick: SF Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

5. Boston Celtics

If there's one team outside the lottery that should consider moving up to the second overall pick, it's the Boston Celtics.

Kevin Garnett may be out the door, along with Ray Allen. Paul Pierce will be back in Boston, but his best days are behind him. This leaves the future of the Celtics squarely on the shoulders of point guard Rajon Rondo.

With the 21st and 22nd overall picks in this month's draft, Boston will look to "re-stock" its cupboard for 2012. Ironically, Rondo was once selected 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns. The Celtics can only hope for a similar result this year.

With an aging roster and not many assets other than future draft picks, it doesn't seem likely that Boston could pony up enough of an offer to tempt the Bobcats. However, if the Celtics offered both of their first-round picks, along with their 2013 first-round pick and a player, it may draw some consideration.

Hypothetically speaking, Boston would have a number of options with the second overall pick. As long as they're content with Rondo above the shoulders, the Celtics are set at the point guard position. Other than that, Boston could use help pretty much everywhere else.

Since Rondo is so good at setting up his teammates for shots, spot-up shooters a la Allen are vital for the Celtics. The 2012 draft class features one of the best shooters in recent memory in Florida's Brad Beal. It may be an unlikely landing spot for him, but I believe Beal would develop into an All-Star playing alongside Rondo.

Celtics' 2nd Overall Pick: SG Brad Beal, Florida