Count Kemba Walker among those who feel the Charlotte Bobcats should be focusing on a playoff run instead of adding another high selection through the next draft.
"I don't see why we can't make the playoffs," Walker told the Charlotte Observer after Thursday's practice. "I think we have a great team and are playing great basketball. As long as we keep it up, I think we can.
"We go out each night with the mindset we can make the playoffs. We practice like we can make the playoffs."
The Bobcats (22-28) have a two-game lead on the Detroit Pistons for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Walker believes that's where the focus should be -- not on potentially adding another piece of the puzzle early in the NBA draft.
"That's ridiculous, as far as us tanking and getting a high draft pick," said Walker, who returned Tuesday after missing seven games with a sprained left ankle. "I don't think we need any more [high] draft picks at this point.
"I could never [tank]. I play this game to win, not to lose. If we are going to lose, we'll make sure it's not easy."
The Bobcats could potentially have as many as three first-round picks -- or as few as one -- on June 26.
The best scenario for the Bobcats is to make the playoffs, which would send their 2014 No. 1 pick to the Chicago Bulls, and for the Pistons' selection to be No. 9 or lower, so Charlotte would get it. The Bobcats also get the Portland Trail Blazers' first-round pick, which is likely to come late in the round.
