Sixteen years ago, the Timberwolves finished with the NBA's worst record and selected Christian Laettner third overall in a draft that featured difference makers Shaquille O'Neal first and Alonzo Mourning second.

The year before that 1992 draft, the Wolves fell to the seventh pick in a draft considered six solid prospects deep and went home with Luc Longley after Larry Johnson, Kenny Anderson, Dikembe Mutombo and Steve Smith, among others, had already been selected.

The year after that 1992 draft, the Wolves chose troubled Isaiah Rider fifth in a draft considered four players deep. They have often been disappointed and have never beaten the odds their first 11 times in the league's annual game of chance.

Does that mean the Wolves are destined to get the third ...More