The NBA draft 2014 is getting closer and that means more trade rumors among the top teams and the Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Lakers, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic all could be moving up or down when the event kicks off in a few days and names like Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker could be involved in deals.
This year the Cavaliers have the number one overall pick for the second straight time and after taking Anthony Bennett last year, the team has the chance to take another top prospect this year. According to ESPN.com, the Cavaliers have been taking offers for the pick and while they have not settled on any talks yet or even a decision, teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers all could be looking to move up. Joel Embiid was once considered to be the overall top pick by many scouts, but after his foot injury, but now he likely will drop and teams could trade up to get him.
The latest NBA mock draft from SI.com has the Cavaliers taking Embiid even with the foot injury, while others feel he will drop out of the top five, including Marc Stein from ESPN.com. The Lakers and the Celtics could be in the mix for Embiid and that could be decided by how the first five picks shake out, as the Celtics have been looking hard at Aaron Gordon from Arizona and likely will take him if he is available. The Bucks are likely out of the running for Embiid, as their new owner said that while he likes Embiid and his talent, the team wants someone who can contribute right away and that means either Wiggins or Parker.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Cavaliers are leading towards keeping the pick at number one and not trading it to take Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker. The team was set to take Embiid and likely would have had he not been injured, but now he likely will fall and teams like the Jazz and Magic could pounce as well. The top five has some prime talent this year and now names like Marcus Smart and Dante Exum will move into those spots if Embiid slips and that could take away some targets for the Lakers and Celtics.
The Bucks are going to take either Wiggins or Parker and that could spark another trade for the 76ers, as they are very interested in Wiggins. According to ESPN.com, the team is considering trading up with their number three pick with Thaddeus Young to get number one and that likely means Wiggins. With Embiid injured, the Cavs may not want to risk missing out on the top two players, and that makes what they do with this pick even more intriguing. The draft is on Thursday night and between now and then there will be plenty of misinformation and rumors. The Cavs still could trade the pick, but right now that is looking unlikely and they may stick with Wiggins or Parker.
