NBA Draft Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers could trade down for Joel Embiid
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the top-overall pick in next week’s NBA draft, appeared to be focusing on three prospects – former Kansas Jayhawks’ center Joel Embiid, his college teammate, Andrew Wiggins and former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker.
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It looked like the Cavaliers may be focusing on Embiid. Now that he has had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, he likely won’t be going number one.
However, that doesn’t mean the Cavaliers won’t be taking Embiid.
According to Brett Poirier, the Cavaliers are trying to trade down because they believe Embiid will be available. The Philadelphia 76ers have discussed trading with the Cavaliers, but the Orlando Magic reportedly have not.
The Magic and 76ers both appear to be high on Wiggins and Australian point guard Dante Exum – both would have to move up to get Wiggins and the Magic would almost certainly have to move up to get Exum.
Embiid is ranked second among all prospects by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express (behind former Kansas teammate, forward Andrew Wiggins). 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.