If Joel Embiid’s back were not such a concern, the Kansas big man almost certainly would be the favorite to go No. 1 in the NBA draft in June.
But Embiid’s back is a concern, as is one-time presumptive top pick Andrew Wiggins’ assertiveness. Those worries could boost a familiar name back into the lead for the No. 1 overall pick.
Jabari Parker would be the top pick of a majority of NBA executives, according to an ESPN.com survey. Out of 30 front-office representatives surveyed, 17 said they would take Parker if they had the No. 1 pick.
“Most NBA guys gush about Embiid due to his size and potential — but there’s a huge concern lingering with the recent back issues,” Jeff Goodman writes. “Right now, many NBA executives would go with Parker because he’s the safe selection, the known commodity. Sure, they might not feel he has quite the upside of Wiggins or Embiid — but they do see Parker as a potential perennial NBA All-Star.”
As for the other guys, Embiid was the favorite of eight executives and Wiggins was the choice of five.
Of course, the only team’s opinion that matters is the one that wins the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft lottery. The Milwaukee Bucks have the highest odds of getting the No. 1 pick, so if none of those 17 executives — who were not identified — hails from Wisconsin, then Embiid or Wiggins still have the strongest chances of going first overall.
Right now, Wiggins is the top pick in NESN.com’s 2014 NBA mock draft, followed by Embiid and Parker, in that order.
Photo via Facebook/Duke Men’s Basketball
