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Kansas big man Joel Embiid displayed the size, talent and long-term upside of a potential number one overall pick heading into the 2015 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, concerns about his shaky health have negatively impacted his stock. Now they might just crush it.
According to multiple reports, Embiid underwent surgery on his foot and is expected to be out for roughly 4-6 months. The news could see Embiid’s draft stock plummet from the top overall pick, to potentially even outside the top-10 picks.
Scouts and NBA GM’s are reportedly concerned about Embiid’s availability for his rookie season in 2014, but are just as worried about his long-term durability. Players in the past like Yao Ming and Bill Walton have struggled to stay healthy with similar foot woes, as they became a chronic problem.
Already considered a sizeable injury risk even before the surgery, Embiid could now see a significant tumble down draft boards and is almost certainly not going inside the top three picks.
That has teams like the Orlando Magic (who hold the number four pick) gathering as much information as possible in an effort to assess the risk in taking Embiid. Orlando is likely now the first team that will take a shot at Embiid in the 2015 NBA Draft, while the Los Angeles Lakers (seventh overall) are also being rumored to be interested in nabbing him if he experienced a free fall on draft night.
Such a free fall is entirely possible given Embiid’s health and the exact type of foot issue he’s dealing with.
On the other hand, Embiid slipping outside of the top three picks could very easily give an NBA team the steal of the draft, as Embiid physically and skill-wise is one of the draft’s best prospects. With elite big men hard to come by as it is, it won’t be easy for anyone to pass on Embiid’s immense upside, regardless of health concerns
