Kansas center Joel Embiid is among the top three players in contention to be drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Draft later this month.
His biggest obstacle: his back.
Embiid’s back injury cost him the NCAA Tournament, but it is not expected to impact his draft status. He’s projected to be the top pick and won’t fall past the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3.
Embiid was recently cleared by the Cavs doctors, but there’s a conspiracy theory, according to Pro Basketball Draft. Sources tell PBD that Embiid’s passed physical was leaked in order to facilitate a deal with the Sixers, who could be interested in trading into the top spot.
My sources say the Cavs doctors cleared Embiid. Only reason to leak intel is to try to get him to slip by the Bucks if Cavs swap w/ Philly.
— Probasketballdraft (@Probballdraft) June 13, 2014
Bucks have interest in Embiid if he’s available at 2. If Cavs could scare them w/ leaked info & Embiid not meet w/ Bucks drs they could pass
— Probasketballdraft (@Probballdraft) June 13, 2014
Pro Basketball Draft’s report conflicts with one by ESPN Cleveland which suggests that Embiid did not undergo a successful physical with the Cavaliers, and there are sufficient enough red flags that the team will pass up on him at No. 1.
.@TheRealTRizzo: Sources tell me Joel Embiid’s physical w/ the #Cavs did not go well. Enough red flags that they won’t take him #1 overall.
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 13, 2014
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Sixers were trying to assemble a package around forward Thaddeus Young that would bring the No. 1 pick to Philadelphia.
However, the report indicated that Philly was eyeing Andrew Wiggins — not Embiid — with the top pick.
The leaked info could cause a sense of urgency into the Bucks if they truly covet Embiid. Whether it’s Philadelphia or Cleveland picking first, Embiid remains an option. If they really want the seven-footer, they’ll need to trade up or take a gamble that he won’t be the pick.
