Mark Story: What UK first-rounders can expect in their new jobs
New-employee kits for some recent University of Kentucky students who landed promising jobs (by going in the first round of the NBA draft) Thursday night:
New employee: Karl-Anthony Towns
Hired by: Minnesota Timberwolves (first pick, first round)
Starting salary: Slot is $4,753,000.
Last year's bottom line: 16-66, fifth in Northwest Division
The bosses: Billionaire Glen Taylor has owned the Timberwolves since 1995. Flip Saunders is President of Basketball Operations and is in his second stint as Minnesota head coach.
Key current employees: Reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins; flashy Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio; former Louisville big man Gorgui Dieng; 38-year-old Kevin Garnett.
How new hire fits in: With Towns, Wiggins and — if he's not traded — forward Anthony Bennett, Minnesota now has the past three NBA draft overall No. 1 picks With time, Towns and Wiggins should become dynamic cornerstones for a franchise that hasn't had much go right over the past decade.
Career advisor: Towns' agent is Leon Rose of Creative Artists Agency
New employee: Willie Cauley-Stein
Hired by: Sacramento Kings (sixth pick, first round)
Starting salary: Slot is $2,831,900
Last year's bottom line: 29-53, fourth in Pacific
The bosses: Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ranadivé, a Bombay, India, native, owns the Kings; former Kings and Lakers center Vlade Divac is the basketball decision maker; longtime NBA head man George Karl is the Kings' coach. Leading up to the draft, the Kings' brain trust was said to be in turmoil with Karl wanting to trade star center DeMarcus Cousins and Ranadivé resisting.
Key current employees: If they're not traded, former Kentucky center Cousins and ex-Connecticut star Rudy Gay are the stars.
How new hire fits in: If Cousins stays in Sacramento, Cauley-Stein could provide defensive protection for the more offensive-minded Big Cuz. There have been rumors that the Kings and former Kentucky point guard Rajon Rondo, a free agent, have mutual interest. If the Kings and Rondo reach agreement, Cauley-Stein could be on the receiving end of some epic alley-oops.
Career advisor: Agent is Rich Kleiman of Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports.
New employee: Trey Lyles
Hired by: Utah Jazz (12th pick, first round)
Starting salary: Slot is $1,866,500
Last year's bottom line: 38-44, third in Northwest
The bosses: Gail Miller, widow of longtime Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, owns the team; Kevin O'Connor is V.P. of Basketball Operations; ex-Duke guard and former Missouri Tigers head coach Quin Snyder is the Jazz head man.
Key current employees: Former Butler star Gordon Hayward, ex-Michigan point guard Trey Burke and Derrick Favors, one-time Georgia Tech standout, form a promising nucleus.
How new hire fits in: A youth movement in Utah has the Jazz on the cusp of playoff contention. Lyles, 19, will have a chance to join Hayward, 25, Favors, 23 and Burke, 22, as a major part of Utah's future.
Career advisor: LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, represents Lyles.
New employee: Devin Booker
Hired by: Phoenix Suns (13th pick, first round)
Starting salary: Slot is $1,773,200
Last year's bottom line: 39-43, third in the Pacific
The bosses: Team owner Robert Sarver is chairman and CEO of the largest financial institution in Arizona; General Manager Ryan McDonough is the brother of ESPN broadcaster Sean McDonough; ex-Suns guard Jeff Hornacek is head coach.
Key current employees: If there are no trades, Booker will be the fourth former Kentucky guard on the Phoenix roster, joining Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Archie Goodwin. The Morris twins, Markieff and Marcus, anchor the Phoenix front line.
How new hire fits in: The Suns have a guard-heavy roster, leading one to think trade rumors that have surrounded Bledsoe may have some legs. It will be interesting to see if Booker essentially takes Goodwin's spot on the Phoenix roster.
Career advisor: Agent is Leon Rose of CAA
This story was originally published June 25, 2015 at 10:22 PM with the headline "Mark Story: What UK first-rounders can expect in their new jobs."