2011 NBA Draft Lottery: What Each Team Has to Gain or Lose
While the NBA regular season ended just a month ago, many teams found that their seasons were over long before that.
For them, Tuesday represents a new beginning.
The NBA draft lottery has provided salvation for some teams and disappointment for others. Teams like the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, despite not having the worst record, found themselves with the first overall pick in recent years, while last year's New Jersey Nets landed only the third overall pick despite sporting the league's worst record.
So what does each team this year have to gain from the lottery? What does each have to lose?
Let's take a look.
Minnesota Timberwolves
1 of 12
What They Can Gain
Minnesota lands the first overall pick and takes Kyrie Irving, who immediately leads a talented but underachieving roster to the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Minnesota fans turn to each other and say Ricky Whobio?
What They Can Lose
The Wolves fall out of the top two picks and are forced to reach on Kemba Walker, who engages in nightly battles with Michael Beasley on who can force up the most bad shots.
Cleveland Cavaliers
2 of 12
What They Can Gain
A superstar in Irving or Derrick Williams to begin the transcendence to NBA relevance once again. Many have differing opinions on who should be taken, but if the Cavs end up with the second overall pick, that decision could be made for them. They could conceivably end up with the first AND second overall pick, but that would just be greedy.
What They Can Lose
The Cavs fall to the fifth overall pick and are forced to watch Irving, Williams and even Enes Kanter come off the board. Cavs public relations try desperately to convince fans that Jan Vesely is the new franchise savior.
Toronto Raptors
3 of 12
What They Can Gain
The Raptors should be very satisfied if they can land any of the top three picks. Even at three they could grab a true center in Enes Kanter and no longer rely on Andrea Bargnani to play the 5 for them. All of Toronto rejoices.
What They Can Lose
Support from the fans if the pick falls to the No. 5-8 range and they have to take a gamble on another international player. Bismack Biyombo might not be enough to satisfy those remaining season ticket holders.
Washington Wizards
4 of 12
What They Can Gain
Am I the only one who actually likes the current Wiz jerseys better than the 2011-2012 ones? Anyway, Washington has good, young players at just about every position. What it should look towards gaining is a standout forward. Derrick Williams or Jonas Valanciunas should be at the top of its wish list.
What They Can Lose
A chance at an elite forward, instead having to settle for a Markieff Morris.
Sacramento Kings
5 of 12
What They Can Gain
A new commitment from the fanbase for the course of an entire season when they draft Kyrie Irving or Brandon Knight to complement Tyreke Evans in the backcourt.
What They Can Lose
Their team, if the fans don't come out in droves to support new lottery pick Tristan Thompson instead.
Utah Jazz
6 of 12
What They Can Gain
The frontcourt appears to be set, so they can best hope for picking up one of the elite guards in this draft. Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight or even Jimmer Fredette with their second pick would all be nice additions out west.
What They Can Lose
A chance to grab a franchise guard and the hopes that an international prospect like Jan Vesely can learn to play NBA small forward.
Detroit Pistons
7 of 12
What They Can Gain
The next franchise cornerstone to replace Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. Brandon Knight or Jonas Valanciunas would be a nice start.
What They Can Lose
Fan support if they reach for Ben Wallace 2.0 in Bismack Biyombo with an early pick. He could actually be a good pick for them, so long as he plays like the Ben Wallace of old and not the old Ben Wallace.
Charlotte Bobcats
8 of 12
What They Can Gain
As much talent available to put around Stephen Jackson and D.J. Augustin as possible. I'm not even going to put certain players' names on here. I would take the best available, no matter what.
What They Can Lose
Their draft pick if Jordan decides to sell it to save money. After Emeka Okafor, Tyson Chandler and Gerald Wallace were traded for essentially cap space, it wouldn't surprise me.
Shame, shame MJ.
Milwaukee Bucks
9 of 12
What They Can Gain
Going off the Bobcats' strategy, the Bucks should simply go after the best player available. Would Brandon Jennings and Kemba Walker get along? It would be fun to find out, wouldn't it?
What They Can Lose
Drew Gooden. Corey Maggette. John Salmons. All decent players, but all players the Bucks well overpaid for. That's what the Bucks are also most likely to get out of this draft: a decent player and probably nothing more. I see a Morris brother going here—just not sure why.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 12
What They Can Gain:
While project "Restore Andris Biedrins' Confidence" is under way, the Warriors would be wise to pick up another big, physical body. Biyombo, or if by some miracle Kanter, would be a nice pickup for them.
What They Can Lose
Reaching on Jimmer Fredette would be a losing effort here. Although Fredette and Steph Curry together would make for quite a story, wouldn't it?
Phoenix Suns
11 of 12
What They Can Gain
A successor to Steve Nash if they can sneak up and nab a Knight or Walker. Phoenix could really use help in most areas though.
What They Can Lose
The next great Suns point guard, instead winding up with the next average Suns forward by reaching for Chris Singleton or Tyler Honeycutt.
Houston Rockets
12 of 12
What They Can Gain
Could a potential star like Valanciunas fall this far? The divisional matchups with Dirk Nowitzki would be awesome to see.
What They Can Lose
Nothing. Houston has the worst draft odds of any team in the lottery at getting the No. 1 pick. The only way it can go is up.
Kinda appropriate for a team named the Rockets, eh?
