Cavs may pass on Embiid, trade top pick

[Andrew]

Seems that Embiid's physical may have scared off the Cavs:

Kansas freshman Joel Embiid was said to be Cleveland’s favorite to be selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. But a report after Embiid’s physical with the Cavs says it “raised red flags” and could mean they turn towards Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker with their first selection.

Embiid has been an enigma for draft enthusiasts after sitting out the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament following back surgery. Since then he’s shown enough talent in workouts to sooth any apprehensions about his health, making him a possibility to be selected with the top pick.

Meanwhile, the Sixers could end up with the top pick after all, if the Cavs are game:

According to ESPN, the 76ers are working to move up to draft Kansas forward Andrew Wiggins with the first overall pick in the 2014 draft.

Philadelphia has the Nos. 3 and 10 overall picks and could be willing to part with young veterans, including 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams or forward Thaddeus Young to sweeten the pot without parting with both picks.

[Kevin]

Holy mother of christ, I'm starting to think the bald guy is fixing the draft

[Andrew]

How so?

[Kevin]

Because the 76ers were the ones who really didnt try to do anything with their record and maybe because us NBA fans thought it was over for the 76ers' fetish for winning the lottery and taking Wiggins with them.

[Stress Fracture]

The Cavs are just plain stupid.

[shadowgrin]

Since the Cavs aren't going to draft Embiid because of back issues they don't have a use for the first pick anyway by selecting Wiggins/Parker if LeBron is going back to the Cavs.
Trade the pick 1st to the Sixers and Cavs get MCW and Thad Young to add quality players with LeBron, then trade Kyrie Irving and Varejao (because of his unguaranteed contract, maybe even add another unguaranteed like Alonzo Gee) for Kevin Love.

C Hawes
PF Love
SF LeBron
SG Waiters
PG Carter-Williams

Thad Young
Tristan Thompson
Jarrett Jack
CJ Miles
Luol Deng if the Cavs manage to re-sign him


Good starting five with depth on the bench and better players around LeBron than his previous time with the Cavs.
Cavs know what they are doing. Like they did drafting Anthony Bennett.

[NovU]

Well... the 76ers should avoid trading away MCW. Imagine what the kid could become in 3 years. If things go right, you might be looking at triple double monster.

This is kinda funny because Dan Gilbert probably will still come out with Embiid at #3 anyway if Embiid's health really is an issue. Why wouldn't he go for Wiggins himself or Parker at #1 then. He's trying to pull some bogus shit here, I'd say "Stay Away, Bucks or Sixers".

There just is no guarantee that which one of the top 3 will turn out to be the best. Dan just wants your MCW for nothing.

[NovU]

Well... I told you this.

It's being reported that Cleveland's doctors did indeed clear Joel Embiid, and that the previous report of his physical not going well was leaked on purpose.
The logic here is that Cleveland leaked a report that Embiid's physical did not go well in order to deter the Bucks from selecting Embiid at No. 2, if Cleveland decides to swap picks with the 76ers (whom own the No. 3 pick in this year's draft). There are conflicting reports about the results of Embiid's physical, but given how well his workouts have been going, it would seem Embiid is closer to healthy than not. It's worth being said, that all reports leading up to the 2014 draft should be viewed with a bit of skepticism, as it's difficult to separate fact from smokescreen. Jun 13 - 5:39 PM

This is just silly. So the Cavs wanted to take a pass on all 3 top prospects in a year widely known as strongest draft in decades to pick Exum?

[Sauru]

MCW and the 3rd for the top pic go

[benji]

This is just silly. So the Cavs wanted to take a pass on all 3 top prospects in a year widely known as strongest draft in decades to pick Exum?

Uh, no, you yourself said it in the post before. They trade down, get another lottery pick plus Young and can still pick Embiid because the 76ers want Wiggins and if they can scare the Bucks away Embiid is still there. Then can nab Gary Harris or whoever at ten.

So you instead of:
Embiid
You get:
Embiid, Young and Harris

And all you lose is a few million.

[Spree#8]

Giving up the #10 pick, MCW and Thad to move up from #3 to #1? Pass. Having MCW, Noel, Thad, Parker or Embiid (probably) and #10 is better than having Wiggins, Noel and nothing. A rebuilding team needs to stockpile assets, not throw them away.

Like many people have figured already, the report may very well be a scam aimed at fooling the Sixers into thinking the Cavs will take Wiggins #1, since everyone knows Philly wants Wiggins, and making them give up a ton of assets for #1. Really hope Hinkie is smarter than that. Especially since all the other reports seem to point to Embiid being more or less fine.

Word is the Bucks don't like Wiggins, so in the best case scenario for Philly they could just take him at #3. And, like I said before, I'd be totally fine with Embiid as well except for the fact that if he's there at #3, it likely means his back is fucked up.

Honestly, I'm getting tired of this shit now. Let the draft come and go already, then this stupidity will finally end. I've come to terms with the Sixers probably getting Parker and not Wiggins and they'll just have to make the best of it. Just don't do something retarded like picking LaVine at #10 or making this trade with Cleveland for #1 and things will be looking up regardless. I mean, there's really nowhere to go but up after last season.

[NovU]

Exactly benji. That's a scam the Cavs are pulling, unless they go Exum. It makes no sense to go down to #3, to draft SELF-labelled red flagged Oden Embiid in the strongest draft in decades.

Giving up the #10 pick, MCW and Thad to move up from #3 to #1? Pass.

According to the article, it's either Thad or MCW, but still not a deal imo.

[benji]

No, it makes sense, you can't take a potential problem at #1 but you can roll the dice at #3 especially if you're picking up other assets. The point is to keep the Bucks away from Embiid.

The Bulls and Magic tried to pull off this stunt in 2000 with Darius Miles.

[NovU]

Stop beautifying the scam, benji. That potential health problem is a hoax as we know it.

If the 76ers move up to #1, they should draft Embiid, not Wiggins. Look what happened when some Canadien was drafted at #1 last time.

[shadowgrin]

want to know another player who passed his physical? sam bowie

[Andrew]

Because the 76ers were the ones who really didnt try to do anything with their record and maybe because us NBA fans thought it was over for the 76ers' fetish for winning the lottery and taking Wiggins with them.

That...still doesn't explain how everything is supposedly rigged. But then again, these days anything and everything that happens somehow becomes proof that the NBA is rigged.