The difference between preparing to draft in the NBA's first round as opposed to the second round: a whole lot of money.

The Timberwolves, who haven't had a first-round draft pick since 1999, will choose No. 26 on June 26, guaranteeing a likely "project player" a three-year deal worth roughly $2.25 million, as stipulated by the league's collective bargaining agreement. With that much money and commitment on the line, the Wolves will pay for 15 to 30 players to travel to the Twin Cities and have them work out. That's something they didn't do when they had only second-round draft picks whose contracts are not guaranteed.

"You're now talking about someone who's going to have a guaranteed contract, so you can put a little bit more money into it,'' said Rob Babcock, the Wolves' vice president of player personnel. "It makes more sense that he's going to be on your team, so you bring the guys in.