NBA Draft Rumors: Cavs leaning towards Jabari Parker
By Mike Dyce
The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the click and the 2014 NBA Draft is fast approaching. As the speculation runs rampant about who will be taken with the No. 1 overall pick in a loaded draft.
There is a report on Monday that the Cleveland Cavaliers are considering drafting Duke’s Jabari Parker from John Goodman of ESPN.
Cleveland Cavs leaning way of Jabari Parker, sources told ESPN. However, no final decision has been made w/ about 80 hours til NBA Draft.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 23, 2014
It isn’t the first time we’ve heard this report. A report from CBS earlier a few days ago suggested the same.
From CBS Sports:
"With Joel Embiid’s foot surgery, and the reported 4-6 month recovery that comes with it, the Cavs are said to be leaning toward Duke’s Jabari Parker with the No. 1 pick. Parker is more NBA-ready than Andrew Wiggins, who would go to the Bucks at No. 2. Rival executives believe it would be out of character for Cleveland GM David Griffin to trade the top pick, and believe Bucks GM John Hammond would be hard-pressed to deviate from the other consensus top player in the draft after Embiid’s injury shook up the top of the lottery."
Parker would certainly be an intriguing player, but would he necessarily be the best fit. The Cavs might have preferred a big man but Embiid’s injury changed it and made him a riskier pick.