Heading into the NBA Draft on Thursday, all the attention has been on who the Minnesota Timberwolves will select with the first overall pick. While Karl-Anthony Towns is considered this year’s top prospect, head coach Flip Saunders reportedly prefers Jahlil Okafor.
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After visiting Minnesota on Friday, the Timberwolves have informed Towns that they will select him on Thursday according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv:
The Minnesota Timberwolves have informed Karl-Anthony Towns that they will select him with the No. 1 pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, a source close to Towns told SNY.tv.
“It’s done, he’s going to Minnesota,” the source said. “[Minnesota President and coach] Flip Saunders was big on Jahlil Okafor for a minute there and after Karl came in [on Saturday], he decided to work out for them. He only worked out for them and it’s a wrap. It’s a wrap. They just told him they’re going to take him No. 1.”
While Kristaps Porzingis has been under consideration, it appears the decision is between Okafor or D’Angelo Russell. Although the Lakers have been successful with big men in route to 16 championships, they may move in a different direction and select a guard instead.
Heading into Thursday, the Lakers will have two other selections including the 27th and 34th overall picks. Along with Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, the storied franchise is building a new foundation that hopes to attract free agents beginning on July 1.
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