We should have known, given the Timberwolves’ absence of lottery luck going back to the early days (who will ever forget Felton Spencer, Luc Longley, Christian Laettner and Isaiah Rider): They ended up third — right where they finished in the final standings — in the NBA draft lottery Tuesday in a year when Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose are considered the big plums.

Chicago busted the odds, turning their 1.7 percent chance into the No. 1 pick. The basketball gods smiled on Miami, too, despite the Heat’s all-out effort to lose games late in the year. The Heat will pick second. Wouldn’t surprise a bit if Pat Riley announces tomorrow that he’s coming back to coach, would it?

So with Beasley gone first to Chicago, Rose gone second to Miami, the Wolves will get their choice of Brook Lopez, O.J. Mayo, Jerryd Bayless, Italian guy Danilo Gallinari, even Kevin Love if you want him.

Chad Ford’s instant ESPN.com mock draft has the Wolves taking Lopez to fill a need, but says don’t be surprised if they surprise and take Gallinari.  Probably because Ford always expects Kevin McHale to make the wrong move. (Where’d he ever get an idea like that?)

Who’s your pick?

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