Where will the former Kentucky Wildcats fall in the NBA mock drafts?

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Now that the ping-pong balls have dropped, we now know the order of the NBA Draft on June 25. The Minnesota Timberwolves came into last night with a 25% chance to have the ping-pong balls drop their way and they finished the night holding on to the top picks. There was a bit of drama as the LA Lakers moved from fourth to second, but other than that there was not a lot of drama. Now that the Timberwolves are officially on the clock, the big question is who they will pick with. According to the internet pundits, it will be the Kentucky Wildcats Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor from Duke. Chad Ford was one of the first to post his mock draft and he tabs Towns as the first pick overall although he thinks they could go either way.

"The Wolves are the only team some NBA scouts believe might take Jahlil Okafor over Towns. I see the appeal, and I know Flip Saunders is a fan. But for now, I’m sticking with Towns. Not only is he a more complete player, but I think he’s a better fit. With Towns, the Wolves have the ability to form a super-team. His versatility should allow the Wolves to play him alongside Gourgi Dieng — another young center they really love. And put Towns on the floor with this year’s Rookie of the Year, Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio running the point and other solid young prospects such as Zach LaVine, Shabazz Muhammed, Anthony Bennett and Adreian Payne and the Wolves have the best young core in the NBA. It might take them a while to be super-competitive in the West, but when they mature in a few years, it will be a major wow."

If Towns does land with the Timberwolves, that would be agreat situation for him and this could be a legitimate Western Conference contender in three years. Not too many number one draft picks land in a situation like that. Here is a look at where Ford had the rest of the former Kentucky WIldcats going in the first round.

6. Willie Cauley-Stein – Sacramento Kings
9. Devin Booker – Charlotte Hornets
12. Trey Lyles – Utah Jazz

Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile a lot of Kentucky Wildcats fans would be OK with Towns falling to the number two spot and the Lakers. That would be interesting as he and Julius Randle can have their dual rookie of the year campaigns. Draft Express has Towns going to the Timberwolves, but they explore the options and the decisions on Byron Scott’s team. Granted, they have Towns off the board when the Lakers pick, but here is a look at the mindset.

"The Lakers have to be feeling awfully good to not only move up to the #2 pick in the draft from their original slated position of 4, but just to keep it (away from Philly) to begin with. Some would say that the Lakers’ draft choice will be made by whatever Minnesota decides to do at #1, as many consider this to be a two player draft with the pair of prized big men in a tier of their own at the top. That’s not entirely unfair, but it may be a little simplistic, at least this early on in the process. WithKobe Bryanton his last legs, and having shot 29% from beyond the arc last season, andJordan Clarksona fairly streaky shooter (31% in NBA, 32% in college) in his own right, there are some definite concerns about the health of the Lakers backcourt as well moving forward. Add in the fact that the Lakers’ power forward of the future, last year’s #7 pickJulius Randle, is very much a low-post player without great range on his jumper, and it makes sense to wonder how good of a fit Okafor is on this roster as it’s currently constructed, and whether someone likeD’Angelo Russellcould make more sense. The Lakers will most definitely give long hard looks to Russell and Mudiay as well, and either of those two could absolutely jump up and grab this spot with a highly impressive workout. The Lakers reportedly put more stock on their private workouts than possibly any team in the NBA, and Mudiay especially will come in with almost a perfectly clean slate. Look for the Lakers to work the phones hard to, at the very least, hear what’s out there."

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Not everyone has Towns to the Timberwolves. CBS’s Gary Parrish has Towns going to the Lakers.

"Karl-Anthony Towns, PF, Kentucky: Towns would be an awesome consolation prize for the Lakers, whose tanking paid off. In a couple of years, they could theoretically have a core featuring a star that arrives via free agency (Russ Westbrook? Kevin Love?) to go with Julius Randle and Towns. And that, plus a sold supporting cast, should be enough to return the Lakers to the Western Conference Playoffs. Here is where Parrish has Willie Cauley-Stein and the other Kentucky Wildcats going."

"6. Willie Cauley-Stein – Sacramento Kings"

"12. Devin Booker – Utah Jazz"

"20. Trey Lyles – Toronto Raptors"

"31. Dakari Johnson – Minnesota Timberwolves"

"36. Andrew Harrison – Minnesota Timberwolves"

"57. Aaron Harrison – Denver Nuggets"

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