The New Orleans Hornets have won the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery just a few months after trading away Chris Paul and are expected to select Anthony Davis.

Below is the draft order of the lottery: 

1. New Orleans Hornets
2. Charlotte Bobcats
3. Washington Wizards
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Sacramento Kings
6. Portland Trail Blazers (from Brooklyn)
7. Golden State Warriors
8. Toronto Raptors
9. Detroit Pistons
10. New Orleans Hornets (from Minnesota)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Milwaukee Bucks
13. Phoenix Suns
14. Houston Rockets 

Dwight Howard regrets his decision to forgo his early termination option on his 12-13 contract, according to sources

Howard seeks a trade before next season and his camp is applying pressure on the Magic to pursue a deal as soon as a new general manager is in place.

Several GM candidates have been creating trade scenarios involving Howard and proposing them to CEO Alex Marins during the interview process.

Deron Williams denied a report from Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski that had sources claiming he would leave the Nets if they were unable to acquire Dwight Howard.

"I would love to know who (his) source is (because) he knows more about what I'm thinking then I do," wrote Williams on Twitter. "Maybe they can help me decide?"

Williams will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Many have speculated that Larry Bird would retire following the 11-12 season, but the chances of that appear to be decreasing.

"Bird definitely sounds like a person who plans to return as long as he and owner Herb Simon remain on the same page," wrote Mike Wells on Twitter, who covers the Pacers for the Indy Star.

Money won't be a factor in Bird's decision, according to Wells. Bird took a paycut from $5 million annually to $1 million this season.

Bird was the recipient of the 2012 NBA Executive of the Year award.

Anthony Davis is virtually a lock to be drafted with the first overall pick regardless of wins Wednesday's lottery.

But Davis is continuing to work hard and remain humble.

"No one knows who is the No. 1 pick," said Davis. "I don't know if I'm going to be the No. 1 pick. It's just a rumor. But I'm a step closer to reaching my dream of playing in the NBA."

Davis said he mirrors his game after Kevin Garnett on offensive -- "he can shoot mid-range and still score in the post" -- and defensively after Serge Ibaka -- he "can alter shots and he's now the best shot blocker in the league."

Anthony Davis Sr., the father of Davis, has been more explicitly nervous about the lottery.

"We've been on edge," Davis Sr. said. "All the guessing will be done (Wednesday) and we'll know where he'll go. He's been focusing on the workout and basketball but we'll find out which way the (ping pong) balls will drop (Wednesday)."

Patrick Ewing has been eliminated from the running to become the next head coach of the Bobcats, according to a source.

Michael Jordan reached out to Ewing to inform him of the decision of the franchise.

Ewing has served as assistant coach with the Magic and Rockets.

The Heat offense has thrived since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Erik Spoelstra said the main factor is that the team is playing less "hero ball" and not that they are without Chris Bosh.

But Miami's ball movement in the halfcourt has improved without Bosh.

“It’s not something that happens overnight,” Spoelstra said. “This is two years of habits and learning each other’s strengths and learning what’s effective for us. We’ve had to change a lot of habits that guys have had for years for the improvement of our team.”

James and Wade have increased their interplay without Bosh also on the court.

“When Bosh went out, the package got smaller and when [Spoelstra] calls sets, he only calls them for me and LeBron instead of calling it for all three of us,” Wade said. “So, I’m more involved in the offense, and our team can kind of know exactly what we’re going to get out of us two.”

During the Heat’s four-game postseason winning streak, Wade and James have combined for 251 points (an average of 62 points per game).

The Wizards have the option of buying out Rashard Lewis for $13.7 million, which would represent an approximate reduction of payroll of $10 million.

Lewis is scheduled to be the second highest paid player in the NBA.

Washington has until June 30th to complete the buyout.

The Wizards can also create more cap space by using their amnesty clause on Andray Blatche.

But multiple sources contend the Wizards will look to trade both Lewis and Blatche rather than pay them not to play for the club.

Trail Blazers president Larry Miller said Tuesday that the team is close to hiring a general manager.

“We have to make a decision now,” Miller said. “We've had three candidates, total, meet with Paul (Allen) and hopefully we'll have a GM in place pretty soon.”

Blazers candidates include former general manger of the New Orleans Hornets, Jeff Bower, current general manager for the Indiana Pacers, David Morway, and general manager for the Los Angeles Clippers, Neil Olshey.

“There was a lot of interest for this position and the process was so long because we had to wait for certain teams to finish out their season,” Miller said. “We're confident that we'll bring in the right guy and we're happy with who we've interviewed.”

If the Nets win the lottery to select Anthony Davis, it will not be enough to sign Deron Williams as a free agent, according to sources.

"It's Dwight Howard or bust," said a league source who has spoken to Williams.

Williams doesn't want to wait for Davis to develop and won't re-sign with the team unless they become an instant contender.

The Nets believe they will be able to retain Brook Lopez in a potential trade with the Magic if they win the lottery.

Sources say Howard regrets opting into his contract and seeks a trade before the 12-13 season. But the Nets become a far less appealing destination if Williams leaves and that is why Howard's camp is putting pressure on the Magic to do a deal once a general manager is in place.