NBA Draft Crystal Ballin': Charlotte Bobcats

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.

If NBA greatness translated to the front office, ho-boy, would the Bobcats be unstoppable. Unfortunately, it doesn't. And as such, Michael Jordan's Tarheel-homerism-fueled draft rampage will only be stopped this year by everyone flocking back to Chapel Hill. Oh wait. Larry Brown's still coming.

Picks: #9, #38

Needs: A big man who can score and/or complement Emeka Okafor in the post (read: let him play power forward). Or perhaps an aggressive, defensive minded bigger guard-forward that can keep Adam Morrison off the floor when Gerald Wallace gets hurt.

Best Case Scenario: Brook Lopez drops to number nine, although considering how guard/non-big man heavy the top part of the draft is, this seems pretty unlikely. There's chatter that people aren't enamored with Brook's lack of upside though, and nothing scares an NBA front office away from someone like "lack of upside" (see: Battier, Shane). And speaking of homerism -- I'm going out on a limb and saying the Cats should trade down in the second round and pick up local UNCG product (respect the alma mater, please) and 3/4 tweener Kyle Hines, or just roll with a Joey Dorsey/D.J. White frontcourt addition.

More Likely Scenario: Jordan drafts Ty Lawson, only to find out that he went back to Carolina. Knowing Roy Williams is just too goshdarn Coca-Cola good-natured to play him for in a round of 18 for Lawson's rights, the Bobcats draft Lopez ... Robin Lopez! Okay, seriously, it's probably going to be DeAndre Jordan or Anthony Randolph.

Please don't take: I'm not sure I'm sold on Jordan. But what a last name! I'm just scared he could become Ced Simmons v2.1 with Brown's lack of rookie love, particularly for the unpolished youngster.

Trade Possibilities: Strong to quite strong. If they were willing to move Brandan Wright for Jason Richardson last year, I see no reason the 'Cats won't roll out of the nine spot should Lopez, Randolph and Kevin Love all disappear before then.