BTBP Mock NBA Draft: Editor’s Edition

Mar 15, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) talks with a reporter after the second half of the SEC Conference championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky Wildcats defeated Arkansas Razorbacks 78-63. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports

What The Experts Say:

"Towns has terrific physical attributes for an NBA big man, standing 7-0 in shoes with a 7-3 ½ wingspan and a strong 250 pound frame. While not a fast-twitch, freakishly explosive athlete, he is extremely mobile and coordinated for a player his size, running the floor well and showing very nice agility – Jonathan Givony, Draft Express"

What The Player Says:

"As a little kid you just always want to be part of the NBA, the greatest fraternity in the world, and that’s all I want to do. I just want to be able to wear a jersey with my name on the back. – Karl-Anthony Towns"

What BTBP Says:

You can’t really go wrong with landing either Towns or Jahlil Okafor, but the sentiment right now seems to be that Towns is just edging it.

Saying that, there are still no certainties when Draft night rolls around. ESPN’s Chad Ford reports:

"Virtually all the signals from sources inside the Wolves point to Jahlil Okafor being Flip Saunders’ favorite right now. That obviously can change as we get closer to the draft. Workouts and interviews and lobbying from staff (I hear most of the rest of the staff favors Towns) could push Towns back atop."

Either way, Towns has shown himself to have all the skills needed to be one of the league’s most dominant big men. He has great size, can work in the low post, a high IQ, and an excellent attitude.

Add into the mix a series of workouts that have generated a lot of buzz (particularly with glimpses of three-point shooting), and you can be guaranteed that Towns will be right at the top of the board come draft night.

Zachary Bennett wrote for 105 The Ticket’s Cold Omaha that Towns has a lot to work on, but there can be little question that him landing in Minnesota could lead to great things:

"Towns has the physical attributes necessary of a prototypical NBA center, but evaluating his performance at the University of Kentucky is a considerably unique and somewhat complex task. He must work to become more of a powerful, physical presence as that will prove beneficial on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Towns have an easier time gaining position while defensively, gaining strength will help keep opponents away from the hoop. If drafted by the Wolves, Towns will have that guy Kevin Garnett showing him the ropes, which would, in theory, help keep his progression on the right track."

Next: With The Second Pick Of The NBA Draft The Los Angeles Lakers Select...