2014 NBA Mock Draft: An in-depth look at both rounds
By Joe Nardone
3. Philadelphia 76ers – Joel Embiid, C, Kansas
H: 7′ 0″ W: 240 lbs DOB: 03/16/1994
2013-14 NCAA (28 GP) 11.2 PPG 8.1 RPG 1.4 APG 28.7 PER
Despite a back injury which forced Joel Embiid to sit out the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments, I still had him as the number one pick as his upside is even more fascinating than that of his college teammate Andrew Wiggins. Well, foot surgery is the latest negative holding Embiid’s draft status back, except this one absolutely takes him out of the one hole.
With a couple of young corner stone players in Michael Carter Williams and Nerlens Noel, and a young coach in Brett Brown, I don’t think the Sixers are in a rush to compete so to me it makes sense for them to stash Embiid if both Parker and Wiggins are off the board, as the big man will at the very least be able to protect the rim as soon as he steps onto an NBA court, if he ever does (he’s currently projected to miss four to six months).Which I think he will. The seven-footer (and possibly still growing) has great hands and spectacular foot work for a player as raw still as he is, and ultimately, you can’t pass on a guy with his size, skill set, and upside.
I don’t foresee the great drop that many writers and analysts are predicting, and at worst I think Embiid’s still a top-five pick. — Jared