Robert Deutsch – USA TODAY Sports
There is a very good chance that Karl-Anthony Towns will be the first pick in the draft. He is extremely versatile and has the potential to be a superstar in the league. But should the Minnesota Timberwolves decide to take another player, then Towns would be available at the second pick. The Los Angeles Lakers have a huge need for a two-way center, and it would be extremely hard for them to pass on Towns, who would be a great fit for the organization.
Jahlil Okafor and D’Angelo Russell both have very impressive offensive skill sets and would be very good selections with the No. 2 pick. But Towns is arguably the best prospect, mainly because of his potential on both sides of the court. There are many questions about how Okafor and Russell will be able to hold up on defense, as it is likely that they will need to be surrounded with the right players to make it work. This is what makes Towns stand out in this draft class, as he showed in college his ability to play elite defense while still being the team’s best offensive threat.
Towns did not get the opportunity to fill the stat sheet at Kentucky, since his team was loaded and the minutes were too spread out. He did display a very versatile offensive game, although his coach insisted that he displayed his dominance in the post. He has very good size to gain good position on the low block and displays a solid finishing touch around the rim. He is athletic for a big man and completes alley-oops with ease.
More impressive, though, is his skill set outside of the post, where he is comfortable hitting a jump shot or putting the ball on the floor. He can pull defenders out of the paint as he is effective from the mid-range and has even displayed a three-point shot which could be a huge weapon for him. Slower big men will have trouble with him on the perimeter, as he has decent ball-handling skills and is a willing shooter off the dribble. This versatility will make him a good fit for any offense and will make him tough to guard.
Defense and rebounding is where Towns should be able to make an immediate impact in the league. He was surrounded by very good defenders in college, but has the potential to be a defensive anchor by himself, if necessary. His length, basketball IQ and timing make him a very good shot blocker, and he will offer good rim protection early on. He is athletic enough to help on pick-and-rolls and will not necessarily be a liability out on the perimeter. We have seen more and more defenses having to adjust with smaller lineups to keep up with fast-paced offenses, but Towns could be a luxury for a coach in crucial moments.
It is hard to believe that Towns will still be available after the first pick, but if he is, it would be difficult for the Lakers to pass on him. He has the potential to be a great two-way player in the league, and his versatility would be a great fit for the team moving forward. He is skilled on offense with the ability to score inside or outside, and he can develop into an elite defensive player in the future. There are several very good options at the top of the draft, but Towns is arguably the best prospect.
