NBA Draft 2012: Why Lottery Swap Works for Both Cavaliers and Bobcats

If it's seemed like the Charlotte Bobcats have been doing everything they can to deal away the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NBA draft, it's because they have. Now, the Cleveland Cavaliers have put them in position to make a mutually beneficial swap of picks. 

According to HoopsWorld's Steve Kyler, the Cavs have made a standing offer to swap the No. 4 and No. 24 picks in the draft for Charlotte's second-overall pick, otherwise known as the first non-Anthony Davis pick in the draft. 

Unlike most trades, no team has to bite the bullet here and endure the pain of getting the slightly worse end. The deal works perfectly for both ends. 

Here's why. 

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers may be in position to make a run into the Eastern Conference playoffs at the conclusion of the 2012-13 regular season if they add even one more solid piece. Kyrie Irving is just that good. 

However, the Cavs own the rights to four picks in the NBA draft and they're all fairly early on in the proceedings. Cleveland's top pick is the No. 4 pick of the draft and they have one more in the first round, the 24th pick that they gained from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Ramon Sessions deal. 

The next two picks aren't too far after, coming in at No. 33 and No. 34 (acquired from the New Orleans Hornets in the Marcus Thornton deal). 

Giving up the No. 4 pick for the No. 2 is obviously an upgrade and giving up the No. 24 pick doesn't hurt much because of the two selections early in the second round. Cleveland doesn't have a need for four rookies, so they might as well get rid of some of the lower picks to move up at the top. 

Bradley Beal is the perfect player to add to the Cleveland roster and he's not going to fall past the Washington Wizards at No. 3. If the Cavs want to pair Beal with Irving to form one of the best young backcourts in the NBA, they have to move up.

When a player is as good as Beal, you do what you can to get him.  

Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats have been trying to move down and add either more established talent or more draft picks for quite some time and on the surface level, that's exactly what happens here. 

By shifting back two slots, the Bobcats pick up another first-round pick in a very deep draft class. If the deal goes through, Charlotte would own the No. 4 and No. 24 picks in the first round as well as the first pick of the second round. There would be the potential to draft three players who could make an impact during their respective rookie seasons. 

Moreover, Charlotte wouldn't be losing out on much at the top. Cleveland would certainly take Bradley Beal, which allows the Washington Wizards to essentially make Charlotte's decision. 

Although Thomas Robinson seems to be the favorite at No. 2 right, there's a solid chance that Washington could go with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at No. 3 and leave Robinson there for the Bobcats.

Even if the Kansas Jayhawk is off the board though, MKG isn't exactly a bad consolation prize.