2014 NBA Draft Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers to select Dante Exum?
The Philadelphia 76ers likely hoped to move in the draft in order to select former Kansas Jayhawks’ forward Andrew Wiggins, but with the third-overall pick, Wiggins being available is a long shot. Instead, the 76ers could opt to go with Wiggins’ collegiate teammate, center Joel Embiid, but there is another player they reportedly like better.
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Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders believes the 76ers would think about selecting Embiid, but would prefer Wiggins or Exum.
"Coming into the process the Sixers had eyes on Wiggins and Exum and there is a chance that both players are gone when they pick at number three. Sources close to the process say the 76ers are lukewarm on Embiid, but that does not mean they wouldn’t look at him hard or entertain a trade where they draft Embiid and trade him to move down to gain additional assets.If Embiid is off the board when Philly picks it likely means one of the guys they like is there. There is a sense that Philly likes Exum a great deal and would have no issues pairing him with last year’s Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams. Should Wiggins fall to the third spot, Philly likely grabs him. If Parker falls to three that might give Philly a little pause, but it’s believed they would take him as well."
The 76ers have repeatedly been connected to Exum, but with Jabari Parker on the board, it would still surprise many to see them select Exum.