The Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, and there has been a lot of clutter to sort through as to their plans with the pick. Here are three rumors you need to know:
Minnesota Reportedly Still Split Between Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor
With just over a week until they hit the clock with the #1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly remain unsettled choosing between Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Duke’s Jahlil Okafor.
Minnesota’s top decision-maker and head coach, Flip Saunders, prefers Okafor, but the rest of the front office wants Towns, according to Chad Ford’s latest mock draft. Saunders’ staff has been trying to convince him to select the Kentucky big man, who they believe to be a better fit with the team’s other personnel.
Saunders recently visited Thousand Oaks to watch Towns work out, and Ford says he has “kept getting assured that Flip will ultimately turn Towns’ way.” It’s not a sure thing, however, given that Saunders has always liked Okafor and could override the request of his staff in favor of the Duke star.
Towns remains the favorite according to several NBA sources, but Okafor’s visit with Minnesota this week could be a step towards a change in thought.
Karl-Anthony Towns To Meet With Timberwolves On Friday
While Okafor visited Minnesota early this week, Towns will meet with the team on Friday, giving him the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the front office. If unclear if the visit will include a workout, but the meeting is set.
Kevin Garnett Part Of Minnesota's Draft Process, Is Meeting With Players
According to NBC Sports, the Wolves are allowing forward Kevin Garnett to be heavily involved in the draft process:
The Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 1 pick, and they are doing their due dillegence — this week they have workouts with Jahlil Okafor and Karl Anthony Towns. They even are getting a better look at guys they almost certainly would not take with that spot, such as Kristaps Porzingis.
And they are getting Kevin Garnett‘s input on all of them.
Timberwolves coach and GM Flip Saunders was on the Chris Mannix NBCSports Radio show and said Garnett is involved in helping the Timberwolves make a decision.
This makes it sound like KG will be back with the Timberwolves on the court next season. Remember Minnesota traded to bring him “home” and out of Brooklyn mid-season. There was speculation that Garnett would retire this summer.
But whenever he does retire, he will have a role with the Timberwolves. Maybe as part owner, but a role one way or another.
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