NBA Draft 2014 Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Weighing Dilemma of Choosing Between Three Eligible Top Picks
ByWith seemingly three great choices for the first overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers have an incredibly difficult decision to make come June 26.
In an in-depth piece for ESPN Insider subscribers only, Chad Ford described his takeaways from the private workouts of Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid and Jabari Parker. Previous reports indicated the Cavaliers favored Embiid with the first pick, but his back issues may change that.
Adding to the Cavaliers' dilemma is Wiggins' "impressive" workout Sunday in Santa Barbara.
"He's in the best shape of the three prospects right now and showed off terrific athleticism, and improved shooting and ballhandling mechanics in the 45-minute workout with Hanlen," Ford wrote.
Drew Hanlen has been coaching Wiggins for slightly less than a month to improve perceived weaknesses in the former Kansas Jayhawks' guard. For example, Hanlen is helping Wiggins with his jump shot from mid-range and past the arch even though shooting was already a strength for him.
Wiggins needs consistency in his game, Ford reported, with shooting, ballhandling and overall effort, as his athletic gifts are already well known.
Embiid could force the Cavaliers to take him first overall if he can prove his back is actually healed. Despite Embiid's doctors giving the seven-foot center from Cameroon a clean bill, Amico reported the Cavs "are extremely leery of potential for longterm back issues."
While the draft is loaded with tall, fast, athletic swingmen like Wiggins and Parker, Embiid is one of a kind. If his back is truly healed, Ford noted the Cavs are going to have a hard time justifying not taking Embiid.
Ford reported Parker had the most impressive workout and that the Cavs should strongly consider taking him first overall. Someone close to Parker told Ford the former Duke forward took some time off after the season, as is customary for any athlete, but is back to being in even better shape than he was before.
Teams picking in the top three may still be wary of Parker's defense (they like Wiggins' better), but his six-foot-nine height and six-foot-11.5 wingspan is encouraging. The Cavs are also most likely losing small forward Luol Deng to free agency so Parker, the draft's most NBA-ready player, may be the most obvious choice.