Check out the original article from Philly.com here.
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Although the Joel Embiid injury complicated things, it did
not knock the 76ers out of the running for Andrew Wiggins.
Prior to Embiid’s injury, it seemed that the Cavaliers were
leaning towards selecting the center first overall, and that Milwaukee might
make Duke’s Jabari Parker the second pick in the draft, allowing Wiggins to
slide to the Sixers at three.
While Embiid’s injury has certainly re-shrouded shrouded the
lottery in speculation, it does not eliminate the Sixers from Wiggins
contention. There are still several scenarios that could play out that would
allow the Sixers to walk away from Thursday’s draft with Wiggins, it may just
become a matter of how deeply the organization wants him.
First, there remains the possibility that Cleveland still
selects Embiid first overall, injury aside. Although this seems unlikely,
especially since Embiid won’t even be at to walk across the Draft stage on
Thursday, as he won’t be in Brooklyn, it is a possibility. SB Nation’s Liberty
Ballers has reported that Embiid is by no means out of the running for the
first overall selection. From LB:
“While the ailment was discovered in a physical performed by
Cleveland doctors, a source said it was not a red flag based off their
evaluation. The team is still very fond of him and do not seem to be concerned,
yet all bets are off if they see something they do not like post operation.”
If Cleveland does indeed decide to draft Embiid with the top
pick, it is very likely that Parker would be picked by Milwaukee and that
Wiggins would slip to the Sixers, as initially expected prior to the latest
Embiid injury.
That is not the only scenario that could see Wiggins
potentially being available at the third selection spot however. If the
Cavaliers decide against Embiid as the top pick, it is very possible that they
go with Parker, as he may be the most ready to come in and contribute in
Cleveland. With Parker off of the board, the Bucks are reportedly interested in
Dante Exum, and there remains the possibility that they would select the
Australian guard before Wiggins. Parker and Exum going one and two,
respectively, would again allow Wiggins to slip the Sixers at three.
Both of these situations are plausible, although not
necessarily likely, and if the Sixers really want Wiggins, as he has reportedly
been their top target, then they may have to make a move.
Initially, trading up to the top selection spot didn’t seem to
make much sense for the Sixers, as it seemed likely that Wiggins (or Parker)
would be there at three. Embiid’s injury makes this less likely, and now if the
Sixers really want Wiggins, they may have to trade up to ensure his selection.
A swap of the third pick and Thaddeus Young for the first
pick has reportedly been discussed, and remains an option. However, in the wake
of Embiid’s injury, Cleveland may want more to drop down a couple selection
spots, and it may take a combination of the third and tenth overall picks to
get them to move the pick.
The third and tenth picks combined is a high price to pay,
and it will be up to the organization to decide if it would be worth it.
How much the team really want Wiggins is a decision they
will have to make, but there are certainly still several scenarios that could
see him as a Sixer.
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