In today's look into breaking NBA Draft rumors heading into Thursday's festivities, the Philadelphia 76ers may be willing to look past Kansas center Joel Embiid's recent foot surgery - making him the third overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
According to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News, Embiid's long-term ceiling could be enough to convince the Sixers to look past his foot injury and his reported back issues:
Source says Sixers are very much interested in grabbing Embiid at No. 3 should he fall to them.
— Bob Cooney (@BobCooney76) June 22, 2014
There are two possible reasons that this rumor came out. The first would be patience on the Philadelphia 76ers' part, looking to a future with Embiid shifted to power forward and Nerlens Noel at center.
The second, per Matt Moore of CBS Sports, would be a "smokescreen" on Philly's part: "If Philadelphia wants to try and raise the value of their pick for a potential trade, or to show Cleveland and Milwaukee they're happy at No. 3 and don't need to trade up, there's reason to show this card."
Either way, things continue to get very interesting at the top of the draft as Thursday rapidly approaches.
