NBA Draft Lottery 2011: Charlotte Bobcats Need Frontcourt Help

The Charlotte Bobcats are back in the NBA Draft lottery after a one-year hiatus. They had the ninth-worst record in the NBA last season, and therefore have a 1.7 percent chance to win the 2011 NBA Draft lottery. That is certainly a longshot, but it's also the same odds the Chicago Bulls had in 2008 when they won the right to select Derrick Rose.

TEAM NEEDS

The Bobcats have a promising young backcourt in point guard D.J. Augustin and shooting guard Gerald Henderson, both of whom made tremendous strides for coach Paul Silas last season. To supplement that duo, the Bobcats need help up front. Tyrus Thomas is the team's most promising frontcourt player, but he was hurt a lot last season and still struggles to stay on the floor. Kwame Brown had a surprising season at center, but he's not a long-term option. Boris Diaw is the incumbent power forward, but he has a big contract and may be traded. 

The Bobcats may also want to draft another wing player in case they trade Stephen Jackson, who, like Diaw, does not fit with their future and has a big contract.

IF THEY WIN

The Bobcats would probably select Arizona's Derrick Williams and slide him into the starting power forward spot, where he could do all the things Diaw does now. Kyrie Irving might be tempting, since Augustin has just one good year under his belt, but the Bobcats believed in him last year and also have a strong backup in Shaun Livingston. 

Enes Kanter may also merit consideration.

PREVIOUS LUCK

The Bobcats have moved up above their draft position just once in their short history, and that was in 2006, when they used the No. 3 pick on Adam Morrison. They fell one pick short of Deron Williams and Chris Paul in 2005, and traded away the pick before Joakim Noah in 2007 to get veteran Jason Richardson.

For more on the Bobcats, visit Rufus on Fire.