The Minnesota Timberwolves claimed their highest draft pick in 16 years tonight, securing the third overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft at tonight's NBA Draft Lottery. The Timberwolves entered the lottery with a 14.5 percent chance of retaining the third overall pick. The 2008 NBA Draft will be held on Thursday, June 26, at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.
"While much of the attention surrounding this lottery has been on the top two picks, there is still an excellent pool of talent to choose from in this draft and we're confident that we'll be adding a player who can provide a nice boost to our team," Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale said. "Our goal remains to put the Wolves back among the NBA's elite teams and the third pick in this year's draft will be a valuable asset as we continue down that road."
Tonight the Timberwolves also introduced a new ticket package to coincide with the 2008 NBA Draft. The "$20 Draft Special" features newly released lower-level seats for only $20. The seats will be available at this price until the NBA Draft on June 26, with the first 100 fans who purchase the "$20 Draft Special" being entered into a drawing to win a trip to the 2008 NBA Draft in New York City. The "$20 Draft Special" is available online at timberwolves.com or by calling 612-337-DUNK (3865).
This year will mark the second time in team history the Wolves will enter the draft with the third overall pick, having previously selected Christian Laettner with the third pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. Minnesota has never previously selected higher than third, and the Timberwolves have not had a top-five draft pick since selecting Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen with the fifth picks in the 1995 and 1996 NBA Drafts.
Michael Jordan was the third overall pick in 1984, joining Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain, Pete Maravich, Kevin McHale and Dominique Wilkins in the group of all-time greats to enter the league as the third pick in the draft. This year's runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting, Al Horford, was also a third overall draft pick, as were current stars Carmelo Anthony, Pau Gasol and Deron Williams.
In addition to the third overall pick, the Wolves also hold the 31st and 34th overall selections in the second round of the draft.