NBA Draft Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks aren't scared by Joel Embiid's back injury

Many NBA general managers have stated in recent days that they’re happy they don’t have the ‘luxury’ of holding the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft, not because they wouldn’t like the pick but because they don’t have to deal with the pressure such a pick brings.

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Sure, there’s the chance you can find a franchise player with the top overall pick. But there’s also the chance you’ll pick the wrong player who’ll turn out to be nothing more than an average talent or possibly even a bust, eventually costing you your job.

Then there’s the whole ‘injury’ risk we’ve seen so many times before. Case in point? Kansas’ Joel Embiid, who off talent, is a potential No. 1 pick but is coming off a stress fracture in his back. To make matters worse? He suffered the same injury when in high school, raising red flags for many in NBA circles. But the Milwaukee Bucks, who own the second overall pick don’t seem nearly as concerned.

In fact, a Bucks scouting director says he isn’t worried at all.

“It didn’t appear there were any signs of issues with his back,” via Andrew Gruman.

But what about the Cleveland Cavaliers, who own the first pick? Well, we haven’t heard much from the Cavaliers though they’re expected to conduct a physical with the big man in the coming days.

ESPN’s Andy Katz suggests that Embiid won’t meet with any other teams until he knows if the Cavaliers are going to select him first overall, though that status may change if the Cavaliers don’t give him any concrete assurances.

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NBA Draft Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks aren’t scared by Joel Embiid’s back injury

By Bryan Rose | May 29, 2014