Early NBA Power Rankings For 2013-14

May 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; the Lady Cats pass out t shirts as NBA team owner Michael Jordan announces that the Charlotte Bobcats will change their name and branding to the Charlotte Hornets starting in the 2014 – 2015 season at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

#27. Charlotte Bobcats

2012-2013: 21-61

Head Coach: Steve Clifford

Signed: Jeff Adrien, Bismack Biyombo, Ben Gordon, Brendan Haywood, Al Jefferson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Josh McRoberts, Ramon Sessions, Jeffery Taylor, Kemba Walker, Cody Zeller

Rationale: The Bobcats are perennially a lottery team, and next season will be no different. Charlotte probably has the least upside in the NBA, which is depressing after just one playoff appearance in the franchise’s existence. Oddly, after multiple weak drafts, Charlotte has decided that this is the season it wants to try winning. Avoiding last place may end up a pyrrhic victory next season when the Bobcats inevitably end up picking in the top 14 again, only this time they will risk missing out on generational talent while also stunting the development of younger prospects.