How Does Karl-Anthony Towns Injury Impact Jazz Draft Pick?

SALT LAKE CITY – The Minnesota Timberwolves were dealt a serious blow with an injury to Karl-Anthony Towns, and it could have an impact on a Utah Jazz draft pick this June.

Towns left the Timberwolves’ loss on Monday to the Washington Wizards with a lower leg injury.

On Tuesday, the team announced the All-Star center had suffered a right calf strain and will be sidelined indefinitely. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Towns is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with the injury.

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Karl-Anthony Towns is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a right calf strain, sources tell ESPN. Towns underwent imaging on Tuesday and the expectation exists for a full recovery and return sometime in January.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 29, 2022

 

The Towns injury is the latest piece of bad news for the Timberwolves who have gotten off to a difficult start to the season.

At the quarter mark of the year, the Timberwolves sit at 10-11 and in the 10th seed in the West.

Expectations were high in Minnesota after acquiring three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gay from the Jazz during the summer.

However, Gobert has taken longer to assimilate with the Timberwolves than some had hoped as the Western Conference Playoff picture has begun to take shape.

Adding urgency to the issue is the draft capital Minnesota sent to the Jazz in exchange for Gobert, including their 2023 first-round pick.

KAT suffered a non-contact injury and was helped to the locker room.

Prayers up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NpitMW9arI

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 29, 2022

The Timberwolves sent four first-round draft picks in total to the Jazz, three of which are completely unprotected.

That means regardless of where the Timberwolves fall in the draft order, the Jazz will own their selection.

Towns has appeared in all 21 games for the Timberwolves so far his season, but the team has struggled without the former number one overall pick in recent campaigns.

Minnesota went 2-6 last season with Towns out of the lineup and 4-18 during the 2020-21 campaign.

Gobert should help mask some of Towns production but doesn’t offer the same offensive upside as the eight-year veteran.

Towns is averaging 20.8 points on 50.5 percent shooting while adding 8.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.

Gobert meanwhile is averaging 13.8 points and 12.4 rebounds while blocking 1.4 shots per game.

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