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NBA Rumors: Jahlil Okafor may ask Timberwolves not to draft him

By Josh Hill

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) dunks the ball during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) dunks the ball during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men /
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The Minnesota Timberwolves have the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft this year, and player might kindly as the team not to draft them. 

Being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft is a true honor in any sport that you’re entering. But being the No. 1 pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves puts a pretty big damper on the whole being drafted No. 1 overall things. That’s the case, at least supposedly, for Duke star Jahlil Okafor.

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.

According to basketball scribe Chuck Myron, Jahlil Okafor might ask the Minnesota Timberwolves not to draft him with the No. 1 overall pick so that he can slide to the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2 overall.

"I think Okafor might. There are rumors that he has his heart set on the Lakers … I wouldn’t be surprised if he and his agent (a college buddy of Flip Saunders, Givony also pointed out) try to dissuade the Wolves from drafting him. That rarely works, though, and if the Wolves like him, they’ll take him. For what it’s worth, Towns seems more open to going wherever he’s picked."

Many people believe that the NBA Draft starts at No. 2 overall, as the Lakers are a prestigious franchise and one that a young rookie can grow into a star with the same way other NBA legends like Magic and Kobe have. Being drafted by the team that replaced the Lakers in Minnesota isn’t really all that appealing, and it’s something that may force some young players to kindly request the Wolves to not draft them.

The Timberwolves aren’t a franchise without hope, but they’re still in the middle of nowhere with a fan base that is hard to rile up due to decades of losing.

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