Timberwolves Are Bringing Daniel Oturu in for a 2nd Interview

Daniel Oturu entered the NBA Draft in March and most Minnesota Gopher basketball fans knew it was coming, but that didn’t stop hearts from hurting. Oturu was the hometown (Cretin Derham Hall) kid who stuck around and played for the maroon and gold, when other local high school prospects of his caliber were all jumping ship around him for “greener pastures”.

But as the draft drips closer and closer (November 18), Oturu’s career path looks more and more like it might not leave Minnesota, quite yet. Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) reported this morning, that the local pro basketball team is bringing Mr. Oturu in for his 2nd interview.

The #Timberwolves will connect this weekend with former #Gophers big Daniel Oturu for a second interview. We are at the time to be covering all bases for guys in the 17-33 range. pic.twitter.com/SmlIwA0LNv

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 2, 2020

The Timberwolves look to be circling their wagons back around draft prospects they like, who could still be on the board when they have their mid-1st (#17) and 2nd-round (#33) picks. It’s a fast turnaround for Oturu, who first interviewed with the hometown team on September 11. Obviously, this doesn’t guarantee Oturu ends up in a Wolves jersey, but it does mean he is one of the finalists they are still interested in, for their 2nd and 3rd picks of this draft.

Where is Dan Projected to Land?

Obviously, it depends on where you look. According to the NBADraftRoom.com, Oturu projects as a “mid-first to early-second round pick”. Rosas and Co could get very-well two stabs at drafting the Woodbury native. Most outlets are mocking Dan right around the Wolves #33 (2nd rnd) overall pick (see below).

There will be a lot of good players available at #17, including other Minnesota natives like Zeke Nnaji and Tyrell Terry, so it doesn’t seem likely (at this point) the Timberwolves go Oturu there. If he is still available at #33, the likelihood has to increase dramatically, given how interested they seem in him through the lead-up process.

Two outlets have Daniel Oturu getting drafted at #18 by the Dallas Mavericks, one pick after the Timberwolves’ pick.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan