The Minnesota Timberwolves haven't exactly been high on the wish list of draftees lately, but that might be changing.

Kentucky coach John Calipari says guard Jamal Murray hopes he's drafted by the Wolves, who hold the No. 5 pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

"I'm saying this to you and no one else. He loves Minnesota," Calipari said on a conference call. "As a matter of fact, that's where he'd like to go."

Jamal Murray averaged 20.0 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Wildcats this season. Mark Zerof/USA TODAY Sports

Calipari also praised new Minnesota coach and team president Tom Thibodeau.

"[Thibodeau] and I are great friends," Calipari said. "He helped my career, helped me basketball-wise and every other way. I'm a big fan of Thibs."

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The Timberwolves have reportedly been shopping the No. 5 pick for a veteran. Bulls guard Jimmy Butler has been mentioned as a target, but nothing solid has materialized.

Calipari said that Murray, who averaged 20 points per game in his one season at Kentucky, would like to play alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, last year's No. 1 overall pick out of Kentucky.

"And he looked at that situation and said, 'They need me and I'd love to be there,'" Calipari said. "And he's met Karl and been around Karl and knows what a great kid he is. I'm not saying Thibs has to take him. But I know that's what Jamal likes, that situation: The young guys and what they have and what he'd add to that team.''