NBA Draft Rumors: Dante Exum smartest player available?
By Bryan Rose
![Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view of the arena during the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view of the arena during the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/93b821166ac7621d28c8b008d3a25fee2cc07b8682c082414039a02c943e4d56.jpg)
We’re just days away from the 2014 NBA Draft and the stock of Dante Exum continues to sky rocket. Originally thought to be a possible top ten pick a few months ago, the Australian point guard has continued to impress NBA scouts and executives and has seen his draft stock rise.
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Add in that Joel Embiid, the player most assumed would be the No. 1 overall pick, is likely to slide after suffering a foot injury and Exum could very well be a top three pick. Most don’t feel he’ll drop any further than the fifth selection, but he may not even last that long as according to Chad Ford, Exum had a fantastic score on the pre-draft psych test which is likely to have teams drooling at the thought of drafting him.
“Sources in Orlando, Philly & Milwaukee all said Dante Exum tested off the charts in psych testing,” says Ford. “Might be most intelligent player in draft.”
That’s saying something considering he’s a very young point guard who is expected to quarterback an NBA roster as he matures.
The Utah Jazz (owners of the No. 5 pick) have reportedly shown significant interest in Exum along with the Orlando Magic (owners of the No. 4 pick) and there have even been reports the Philadelphia 76ers (No. 3) are looking into drafting Exum, despite the fact they already have Michael Carter-Williams on their roster.
Needless to say, it’s been a fast rise for Dante Exum who could end up being the steal of the draft assuming he fulfills his expectations.