The 2011 NBA Draft order will be decided later this evening following the NBA Draft lottery on ESPN (7:30 p.m. CT, for those unaware), but fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves should know that one of the team's picks is already set in stone.
The Timberwolves will have a pick somewhere in the top four of the 2011 NBA Draft (where exactly will be decided by 8 p.m.), everyone that has been paying attention knows that, along with the 20th overall pick when June 23 -- this year's NBA Draft date -- rolls around.
The Wolves picked up that selection when they traded Al Jefferson to the Utah Jazz for Kosta Koufos and two future first round picks (one of which was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies) this past offseason. Minnesota would have also been owed the Jazz's own first round pick if they ended this seas with a selection later than the 16th overall pick, but that will instead be rolled back to next year.
A full list of the 2011 NBA Draft order, before the lottery, is posted below:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Utah Jazz
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
10. Milwaukee Bucks
12. Utah Jazz
13. Phoenix Suns
14. Houston Rockets
15. Indiana Pacers
17. New York Knicks
18. Washington Wizards (from Atlanta Hawks)
19. Charlotte Bobcats (from New Orleans Hornets)
20. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis Grizzlies)
22. Denver Nuggets
23. Houston Rockets (from Orlando Magic)
25. Boston Celtics
26. Dallas Mavericks
27. New Jersey Nets (from Los Angeles Lakers)
28. Chicago Bulls (from Miami Heat)
30. Chicago Bulls