In today's look into Celtics rumors surrounding the 2014 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics are surveying all options when it comes to who they will select with both the #6 and #17 picks on Thursday - including Kansas center Joel Embiid.
However, recent surgery on his fracture right foot looks to be scaring away most teams at the top of the draft. With a 4-6 month recovery time ahead of him, even the Celtics are wondering if it's too risky of a proposition to take the former projected first overall pick.
“It’s quite a gamble," director of player personnel Austin Ainge said of drafting Embiid, via Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald.
There’s two (players) we’ve taken a chance on, but there’s many others we haven’t taken a chance on,” he said. “(The Celtics medical staff) makes us aware of risks. (Dr.) Brian McKeon, step up to the plate," Ainge added.
In draft both Jared Sullinger and Avery Bradley, the Celtics had to bypass a ton of medical information which might have scared off several other teams. Would they take the same risk on Embiid?
"We try to focus on long-term health more than the short term, but when you’re drafting kids 19, 20, 21, it’s best to think will it be a concern five years down the road,” said Ainge.
“Those are usually the ones we try to avoid.”
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