2014 NBA Draft Rumors: Boston Celtics could take Jusuf Nurkic with sixth-overall pick
The Boston Celtics were obviously hoping to land one of the elite prospects in next month’s draft, but that appears unlikely now.
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The Celtics would reportedly love if Embiid took a tumble down the draft board so they could select him with the sixth-overall pick but that is very unlikely.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, if Embiid is unavailable as expected, Bosnian center Jusuf Nurkic could be the pick.
"The dark horse pick for Boston could be Bosnian big man Jusuf Nurkic. He measures in at 6’11.5 in shoes, with a monster 7’2’ wingspan and averaged 11 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the Adriatic league this season. Nurkic is considered the second best NBA center prospect in the draft. If Utah doesn’t grab him with the fifth pick, Boston might be where he lands with the sixth."
Nurkic is considered the second-best center prospect in the draft and if the Celtics are set on getting a big man with size to play next their more finesse big men like their first round pick in 2012, Jared Sullinger, and their first round pick in 2013, Kelly Olynyk, he could be the pick.
Nurkic averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 16.6 minutes per game in the Adriatic League this season.