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With just over a week to go until the NBA draft, several teams have expressed interest in potentially trading up to acquire the No. 1 overall pick but there could be a scenario in which the Minnesota Timberwolves hold onto it.
According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, speaking on the “Lowe Post” podcast with Zach Lowe, the Timberwolves have turned down offers for the No. 1 overall pick as they look to schedule a second pre-draft meeting with LaMelo Ball.
Minnesota previously met with Ball in Southern California in late October but that did not include on-court basketball work. The expectation is the Timberwolves would have Ball work out during the second meeting as they finalize their draft plans prior to Nov. 18.
I’m hearing some of the offers that are being made to Minnesota and they’re pretty good relative to what you would think is a bad No. 1 pick. It doesn’t sound like they’re going to make that move. So far, they’re rebuffing these offers.
There is going to be a second meeting here between LaMelo and Minnesota at some point in the near future. I expect he is going to have to get on the basketball court and show them some stuff. It’s possible that will be enough to lock up the No. 1 pick where they might say, ‘We’re not trading the pick and we’re committing to him.’
On Monday, a report was published by Givony that indicated the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as candidates to trade up for the first pick. However, the Timberwolves appear content with holding off on making a potential move — for now.
The Timberwolves have been rumored into wanting to trade down but that stance could change should Ball impress them during their second pre-draft meeting. The situation will certainly be worth watching over the course of the next week.
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