The Los Angeles Lakers might end up with Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns in the 2015 NBA draft after all. The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly like Duke center Jahlil Okafor in the draft, leaving open the possibility of the Lakers landing the much-coveted Towns.
Los Angeles, along with a number of other teams in the league, reportedly wants Towns. The difference between the Lakers and those other teams is that only one team stands in their way of drafting Towns. Although most mock drafts have Minnesota going with Towns, Chris Johnson and Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated reported the Timberwolves actually prefer Okafor.
"While most analysts consider Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns this year's top prospect, there are reasons to think the Wolves will select Jahlil Okafor instead," Johnson and Woo wrote Monday. "(Team president and coach) Flip Saunders isn't a big proponent of three-point shooting-Minnesota ranked dead last in the league in attempts last season-but is a fan of traditional post play. ... Saunders reportedly 'really likes' the post-bound Okafor and may view him as more attractive than Towns, who offers more versatility and range on his jump shot."
Most NBA scouts and executives regard Towns as an elite defender and as the prospect with the most upside in this year's draft. Okafor, by contrast, is considered to be the best offensive big in the draft. Scouts have praised his footwork and his ability to score in the post - if Saunders does want a ready-to-go presence in the paint, the Duke freshman is his man.
Assuming Okafor does go first, that leaves Towns for the Lakers. Los Angeles' top target in the draft reportedly is Towns, who would join ex-Kentucky forward Julius Randle to give the Lakers a fearsome frontcourt to build around in the future. A less likely option is Los Angeles trading away its No. 2 pick for a proven All-Star, if the Lakers' front office wanted to try to make the most out of what will likely be Kobe Bryant's final season.
If Minnesota ends up selecting Towns, reports indicate the Lakers will go after either Emmanuel Mudiay or D'Angelo Russell.
