NBA Draft Rumors: Bucks would select Joel Embiid first overall?

Dec 21, 2013; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Joel Embiid (21) celebrates after scoring during the second half of the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 86-64. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Thanks to the NBA’s lottery system, we won’t know who will be picking first in the 2014 NBA Draft until well into the postseason.

The team with the worst record doesn’t always win the lottery, but if they do, the Milwaukee Bucks (who will likely have the worst record) would likely draft Joel Embiid first overall.

Per Jeff Goodman:

"Bucks GM John Hammond will choose the player he thinks has the best chance of being a star. Right now it’s a three-man race, but sources indicate Hammond loves the skill, size and rapid progression of Embiid. The Cameroon native is new to the game and has tremendous upside. Embiid can help the Bucks on both ends of the court, and while he recently told ESPN.com he might return to school, most feel that he’ll be in June’s draft."

Embiid has of course said he will ‘strongly’ consider staying at Kansas next year, but that seems to be a bit of lip service considering most players don’t walk away from being the number one overall pick. All it takes is a freak injury next season at the NCAA level and Embiid goes from a top (potential number one) pick to never playing again.

Expect him to be in play for whomever selects first overall come the NBA’s June draft.

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