The Minnesota Timberwolves have the top pick in next month’s NBA Draft, and they are likely going to be choosing between Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns or Duke’s Jahlil Okafor.
Whoever the Wolves draft will become the first No. 1 overall pick in the team’s 26-year history, so the last thing the Wolves want to hear is that one of them would prefer not to be picked by Minnesota.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated that aired Wednesday, Okafor said he didn’t know if he should be the top pick.
“I don’t care. I just want to go to the right environment for me and the right team,” said Okafor. “I think the hype about No. 1 is more for the fans.”
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It’s not clear when Okafor made that remark – it could have been before the Wolves won the draft lottery. According to the Washington Post, it more than likely should not be interpreted as Okafor’s way of telling the Timberwolves not to draft him.
But that’s not how some see it.
According to an NBA Draft blog on Fansided, Okafor might ask the Timberwolves not to draft him so he can slide to the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2. Read the next quote at your own risk – Timberwolves fans may be offended:
“Okafor is expected to be a Top 3 pick this year in the NBA Draft, but he doesn’t really want to go from playing for the National Champions to playing in the basketball boneyard of Minnesota.”
Some NBA scouts believe the Wolves are one team that would consider spending the top pick on Okafor, while most teams reportedly would favor Towns.
The Wolves aren’t really tipping their hand. Flip Saunders told ESPN this week, “At this point, we’re open. We’ll pick the best player for us on June 25.”
