Karl-Anthony Towns has been showing off his shot-blocking chops in the pre-draft process, turning away every attempt by the Los Angeles Lakers to get a closer look at him.
The Lakers would prefer to get a closer, in-person look at Towns swatting basketballs rather than interview invites, but they're stuck playing the hand they're dealt. With the No. 2 overall pick in their possession, the Lakers want to bring Towns in for a workout in the event the Minnesota Timberwolves pass on him at No. 1.
So far, the Lakers have been unable to bring Towns in, but general manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday that the team will keep trying. Reports in late May suggested Towns would not physically work out for any team and would only interview with Minnesota and L.A.
Agent Leon Rose and Towns rebuffing the Lakers' efforts implies they feel confident the Wolves will select Towns at No. 1. Minnesota president and head coach Flip Saunders is believed to be a big Jahlil Okafor fan, though he said this weekend that the team is still in the decision-making process.
In the meantime, the Lakers have worked out several of the top players on the board - including Emmanuel Mudiay, D'Angelo Russell, and Okafor - and they'll attend a Kristaps Porzingis workout Saturday to get a closer look at the Latvian. Whoever the Lakers land second has to be prepared for life with Kobe Bryant, something not everyone may be as excited as Rashad Vaughn about.
"Rookies have come to expect Kobe's glare and him ignoring them in the locker room and saying things," Kupchak said.
The Lakers are in a great position with the second selection: either the Wolves pass on Towns, leaving them the best prospect in the draft (even if they haven't gotten as close a look as they'd like), or Minnesota takes Towns and the Lakers have their choice of any number of intriguing options they know more intimately.
