NBA Draft Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers leaning towards Joel Embiid
Perhaps the worst kept secret in the draft is the Philadelphia 76ers’ desire to acquire former Kansas Jayhawks’ swingman Andrew Wiggins.
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At the very least, the 76ers probably believed they land either Wiggins’ former Jayawks’ teammate, center Joel Embiid or former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker with Australian point guard Dante Exum as a potential dark horse.
However, once Embiid had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, it may have taken the 76ers out of play for Wiggins. Wiggins and Parker will almost certainly go one and two in some order on Thursday night. The 76ers are trying to make a play for Wiggins, but aren’t interested in the Milwaukee Bucks’ second-overall pick, obviously believing Wiggins will be the first-overall pick.
Without a deal with the Cavaliers, it looks like the 76ers will be down to either Exum or Embiid.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the 76ers have yet to make a final decision, but believes the 76ers could be leaning towards selecting Embiid with the number three-overall pick.
Philadelphia is still working on a final decision at No. 3, but Joel Embiid has a tremendous chance to be selected there,
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2014
The 76ers made a similar move last season, dealing for the rights to Nerlens Noel, who sat out the whole season rehabbing from a torn ACL.
Embiid was ranked second among all prospects by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express (behind former Kansas teammate, forward Andrew Wiggins). Embiid averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 62.6% from the field, 20.0% from beyond the arc and 68.5% from the free throw line.