The Minnesota Timberwolves stayed in their original draft position and secured the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft in tonight’s Draft Lottery. Wolves forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns, the No. 1 overall pick by the Wolves in 2015 and the 2015-16 KIA NBA Rookie of the Year, represented Minnesota at tonight’s Draft Lottery held at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. The 2016 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 23.
Originally slated to draft in the fifth position, the Wolves entered tonight’s Draft Lottery with a 26.15 percent chance of earning the fifth overall pick. This year will mark the fifth time in team history the Wolves will enter the draft with the fifth overall pick, having previously selected Isaiah Rider in 1993, Kevin Garnett in 1995, Ray Allen in 1996 and Ricky Rubio in 2009.
A number of NBA greats have entered the league as the fifth pick in the draft, highlighted by Charles Barkley (1984), Scottie Pippen (1987), Mitch Richmond (1988), Kevin Garnett (1995), Ray Allen (1996), Vince Carter (1998) and Dwyane Wade (2003). More recently, DeMarcus Cousins was the fifth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.
The Wolves do not have a selection in the second round of this year’s NBA Draft.
[Minnesota Timberwolves press release]
