Report: Dante Exum has worked himself into draft’s top tier

There is no bigger mystery in the 2014 NBA Draft than Australian point guard Dante Exum. Despite having been seen by few general managers across the league against competition par for his playing level, his draft stock is moving up as the draft approaches:

"Very few GMs have seen him play in person, but Australian guard Dante Exum has somehow worked his way into the top tier among draft picks, with Joel Embiid, Wiggins and Parker.via Memphis Grizzlies the best franchise in sports (according to one major magazine)? Far from it | New York Daily News"

Following the NBA Draft Lottery, most mock drafts and rankings have placed Dante Exum right after the big three in Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker, and Anthony Wiggins, heading to the Orlando Magic at the number four pick after those three are off the boards. This would mean that Exum has leaped ahead of highly touted power forward Julius Randle. He’s also looked at as the best point guard in the draft, with Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart second.

Due to his combination of size, strength, and speed, Exum is looked at as a combo guard that could possibly be an NBA All-Star during his career. And it seems general managers are beginning to believe that themselves. Of course, it’s hard to judge a players leap based on what has happened in draft workouts. We all remember the Darko Milicic scenario that led to him being picked second overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, drafted ahead of future hall of famers Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony.

No matter what general managers think of Exum, his chance to prove he’s worth the hype will come once he steps foot on the NBA floor.