NBA: Towns denies Timberwolves ‘top pick’ promise

In this April 4, 2015, file photo, Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns (12) drives to the basket past Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky (44) during the first half of the NCAA Final Four national semifinal college basketball game in Indianapolis. Small ball was the story of the NBA Finals. It might seem temporarily forgotten at the start of the NBA draft. The first three players taken Thursday, June 25, 2015, could easily be a trio of big guys, led by Kentucky’s Karl-Anthony Towns. (Chris Steppig/NCAA Photos via AP, Pool, File)

After reports said the Minnesota Timberwolves “promised” to select Karl-Anthony Towns with the first pick, the former University of Kentucky forward denied such information.

Towns told SI.com no one has promised him he would be the top overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft but he “wishes” he could get an assurance.

READ: Towns, Okafor and good lesser-known players top NBA draft

“Believe me, if I got a promise, I would let you know,” Towns told SI.com. “I wish I could get one. I’d be a lot less stressed.”

Towns has met Timberwolves president and head coach Flip Saunders and owner Glen Taylor for an interview and a workout.

Once selected no. 1, the former Wildcat would make around $5.7 million in his rookie year.

Apart from Towns, another prospected top pick is Duke University’s Jahlil Okafor.

Okafor led the Blue Devils to the national championship defeating University of Wisconsin, the team that knocked out Towns’ Wildcats in the Final Four. CFC