Will top NBA draft picks square off when Lakers meet T’wolves in Summer League?
Duke star Jahlil Okafor works out with the Los Angeles Lakers at their practice facility in El Segundo on June 9.
When the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves meet July 10 at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, it’s possible that game could offer a glimpse of the league’s next two dominant big men and it could supply some intrigue.
It could be a game in which centers Karl-Anthony Towns from Kentucky and Jahlil Okafor from NCAA Champion Duke face off for the first of what may be many times they play against each other.
And if the draft boards have it right, Towns will be selected first by Minnesota on the night of the June 25 NBA draft, and the Lakers will take Okafor with their second overall selection.
The Lakers have had a predraft workout with Okafor and plan to have him back for a second session before the draft.
Los Angeles, however, has not been able to secure a solo workout with Towns but is still trying to get that accomplished.
The game between the Lakers and Timberwolves will be at 5:30 p.m., at Thomas & Mack Center.
The Lakers also will face the Philadelphia 76ers, who are expected to select guard D’Angelo Russell with the third pick in the draft, at 5:30 p.m. July 11 at the same site.
And the Lakers are scheduled to meet the New York Knicks, who expected to take guard Emmanuel Mudiay with the fourth overall pick, at 5:30 p.m. July 13, also at Thomas & Mack Center.
So there is a chance that fans of the Lakers and the NBA in general could see the top four draft picks play against each other during the summer league.
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