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CHARLOTTE (AP) — Bobcats coach Paul Silas couldn't bring luck to Charlotte's NBA team for the second time in 12 years.

Now the work begins for general manager Rod Higgins to beef up the roster either through savvy picks or a trade.

The Bobcats failed to move up in Tuesday's draft lottery, securing the ninth overall pick in next month's draft. Charlotte also holds the 19th overall pick, acquired in the February deal that sent Gerald Wallace to Portland.

After making the playoffs for the first time a year ago, the Bobcats slumped to 34-48 this season. The Bobcats hope the Wallace trade, which also netted another future first-round pick, will give them enough flexibility to eventually turn them into a perennial playoff team.

"We know how important this draft is to our future," Higgins said.

Silas represented the team in Secaucus, N.J., in hopes of duplicating his lottery success when he was coaching the Charlotte Hornets in 1999. With only five out of 1,000 chances to move into the top three, the Hornets jumped from 13th to third in the lottery and selected point guard Baron Davis.

But the Bobcats had just a 1.7 percent chance of getting the top pick and a 3 percent chance of moving into the top three.

Cleveland was the big winner, landing the top pick and the fourth selection. Minnesota will pick second and Utah third.

Now the Michael Jordan-owned Bobcats, who also have the 39th overall pick, will soon work out numerous prospects before the June 23 draft. Higgins will also pursue trades, although the Bobcats must hang onto at least one first-round pick because NBA rules prohibit teams from sitting out the first round of the draft in consecutive years.

"The possibilities are endless and we will explore every option available to ensure we acquire players that have the potential to make a positive impact on our team," Higgins said. "Having three of the top 40 picks is also a nice luxury to have."

The Bobcats last had the ninth pick in 2008, when they took starting point guard D.J. Augustin.