Looking beyond the top two in the NBA draft

June 24, 2015 at 11:37AM
icon2:49

It's believed the Timberwolves have a plan, and a backup plan as well. Well, you know how plans, and even backup plans, go.

So who have they considered before they reportedly decided to select Kentucky big man Karl-Anthony Towns (almost certainly the plan) over Duke forward Jahlil Okafor (a backup plan) with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft Thursday night?

They brought point guards Emmanuel Mudiay and D'Angelo Russell to Minneapolis last week for a visit and workout, and basketball boss/coach Flip Saunders went to Las Vegas this month to see Kristaps Porzingis, a 7-2 Latvian with guard skills and the draft's largest wingspan but not enough muscle just yet.

Mudiay was born in Zaire (present-day Congo) and raised in America, and he passed on college ball to play professionally in China. Russell made a name for himself as a skilled — some say remarkable — passer at Ohio State, and he can really shoot it, too.

Guard D'Angelo Russell didn't expect to be at Ohio State for only one year, until the draft's best passer wowed scouts and became a first-team All-America.
Guard D’Angelo Russell didn’t expect to be at Ohio State for only one year, until the draft’s best passer wowed scouts and became a first-team All-America. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell (0) drives on Michigan forward Ricky Doyle during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan defeated Ohio State 64-57. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) ORG XMIT: otkco107
D’Angelo Russell (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
about the writer

about the writer

More from Wolves

See More
card image
Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune

The center had called on coach Chris Finch to start benching players who give lackluster effort on defense.

card image
card image