Karl-Anthony Towns is odds-on favorite to be top NBA draft pick
Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns handles the ball against Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky during the NCAA Final Four semifinal in Indianapolis on April 4.
The Lakers lucked into the second overall pick in the NBA draft with a strong showing in Tuesday’s draft lottery.
The Minnesota Timberwolves will make the first selection.
According to gambling website Bovada, Kentucky forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns is most likely, at 1-2 odds, to be the top pick in the draft.
Duke center Jahlil Okafor is at 7-4 odds to go No. 1, while the other leading prospects are at 5-1.
If Towns goes to Minnesota, the Lakers would presumably take Okafor. If the Duke champion is selected by the Wolves, Towns would most likely fall into the Lakers’ lap.
However, either team could look beyond the two big men.
Other high-level prospects include Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell and Emanuel Mudiay, who played in China instead of pursuing college ball.
Latvian power forward Kristaps Porzingis is also an intriguing prospect, along with Kentucky’s defensive center Willie Cauley-Stein.
Leading up to the June 25 draft, the Lakers will be doing their due diligence, meeting with and working out various players.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus
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