Prior to surgery on his fractured right foot which should keep him out for 4-6 months, Kansas center Joel Embiid was the prohibitive favorite to be selected as the Cleveland Cavs' first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
However, with Embiid likely off the Cavs' board now, Cleveland and the Philadelphia 76ers have intensified trade talks which could sent the #1 pick to Philly for the #3 pick - along with either Thaddeus Young, the #10 pick, or a second-round selection.
Per Eliot Shorr of NJ.com, "according to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Sixers and the Cavaliers have talked about a trade that would send the No. 1 overall pick to Philadelphia. The talks, according to Ford, picked up after news of Embiid's injury broke."
The most likely scenario would involve Thaddeus Young heading to Cleveland. However, in order for that to happen, the 76ers would have to also accept the contract of a player who makes in the neighborhood of Young's price tag, $8.5 million, to balance things out.
One possibility Shorr mentions is Cavs center Anderson Varejao - whose expiring contract could be a huge trade chip for the 76ers at next season's trading deadline.
Yet, regardless of the terms, things look to be getting very interesting as we approach Thursday's draft.
Chat Sports will have more on this developing story as additional information is made available.
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