NBA Draft Rumors: Cavaliers not interested in Jabari Parker with No. 1 pick?
By Bryan Rose
Coming into the NBA’s lottery, it was thought that Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker all had a shot to hear their name called out when the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft was announced.
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That continues to ring true for both Embiid and Wiggins, but it seems more and more likely that Parker is no longer in the mix for the No. 1 pick.
Granted, things can change on the turn of a dime, but according to Chris Mannix, league sources tell him that it’s Embiid and Wiggins who the Cleveland Cavaliers are most interested in.
“Cleveland isn’t tipping its hand, but league sources continue to believe that the decision is down to Embiid and Andrew Wiggins.”
Parker brings with him an absurd amount of athletic ability, but there are understandable concerns about his shooting and lack of weight. That’s not to say Embiid nor Wiggins don’t come without their own warts as it’s Embiid who is coming off a stress fracture in his back – the second he’s suffered since high school.
Still, it appears that Embiid is fully recovered and has reportedly been impressing scouts and front office personnel with his workouts.
As for Parker? The Milwaukee Bucks, who select second are said to likely take the other half of the Embiid/Wiggins combo which will leave the Duke product falling to the third selection, owned by the Philadelphia 76ers. According to Mannix, Philadelphia is said to prefer Wiggins but likely to be off the board, they’ll be more than happy to select Parker.