NBA Draft Rumors: ‘Growing consensus’ Cavaliers take Joel Embiid
Former Kansas Jayhawks’ center Joel Embiid is currently in Cleveland to workout for the Cavaliers and undergo medical evaluations on his back.
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This is obviously going to go a long way towards deciding whether Embiid, his college teammate, forward Andrew Wiggins, or possibly even former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker will be the number one overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
”The next day will be huge for him [Embiid] and whether he’ll go number one,” one source told ESPN.
According to Chad Ford of ESPN.com, there is a “growing consensus” Embiid will go number one as long as his back is medically cleared.
"But to be the first player to shake NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s hand on draft night, (Joel) Embiid must overcome two obstacles. The first is the cadre of doctors the Cavs will throw at him in Cleveland. The second is owner Dan Gilbert, who has given Cavs management a mandate to win now. While the Cavs have been mum on who they will take No. 1 in the draft — various factions within the organization have been stumping for Embiid, Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker — there is a growing consensus within the organization that if the Cavs’ doctors give Embiid’s back the green light, he’ll be the choice of general manager David Griffin for the No. 1 pick."
Embiid averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 62.6% from the field, 20.0% from beyond the arc and 68.5% from the free throw line.
There is also a chance the Cavaliers could trade the pick and the Philadelphia 76ers have showed great interest in moving up.