Karl-Anthony Towns: Latest News, Rumors, Buzz on Center's 2015 NBA Draft Stock

Karl-Anthony Towns is widely considered either the best or second-best player available in the 2015 NBA draft. As such, he has been heavily discussed as a target for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who own the No. 1 overall draft pick.

Continue for updates.

---

Towns Says No Promise From Timberwolves

Wednesday, June 24

"I have no promises yet," Towns said regarding the Timberwolves, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo. Spears also noted the Timberwolves plan to keep their pick secret until the draft. 

The Timberwolves reportedly told Towns that his name will be called with the first selection, according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv on June 22, who cited a source close to the player.

Zagoria's report echoes a June 12 report from Forbes' Mark Heisler, who reported the T-Wolves' brain trust was setting its sights on Towns:

"

Minnesota GM/coach Flip Saunders, who had been leaning toward (Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor), is said to have turned pro-Towns after seeing him last week in Los Angeles.

The splash sent ripples throughout the NBA. Says an insider: "There's no doubt, the T-Wolves are taking Towns."

"

Should Towns wind up in Minnesota, that obviously could have a knock-on effect for what the Los Angeles Lakers do at No. 2, since most expect Towns wouldn't go any lower than second overall. The Lakers' draft plans might be seriously wrecked if they bet the house on getting Towns.

However, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reported in his most recent mock draft that L.A. might prefer Okafor anyway:

"

The Lakers are going through the motions with other draft prospects—D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay have been in for workouts—but multiple league sources say L.A. is locked in on Okafor. Despite being overtaken by Towns, scouts still see Okafor as a franchise center—one with an enormous upside.

"

Lakers legend Magic Johnson would be a fan of Okafor's arrival should it happen:

Going back to Minnesota, most would argue the Timberwolves will be good no matter whom they select, be it Okafor or Towns. The franchise is assembling strong young talent in Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins to complement veterans like Nikola Pekovic and Ricky Rubio, who's still only 24 years old.

Minnesota is at least a few years away from seriously pushing for a playoff spot in the stacked Western Conference, but its rebuilding project could have started off much worse after it became clear Kevin Love was going to leave.

A core of LaVine, Wiggins and Okafor/Towns is the kind of group you build a title contender around.