Even After Foot Injury, the Sixers Should Take Joel Embiid

I've been debating this ever since the news came about Joel Embiid's foot.  How far do I drop him?  How much long term concern is there over either of his major injury issues?  How much, if at all, does his availability next season factor into my ranking?

My initial reaction was negative, as was the case with most people, both in the Philadelphia area and nationally.  This pick was far too important, far too franchise defining, to miss because of an injury.  When Rich and I spoke last Thursday, just hours after the injury was announced, he wasn't in the top 3 of my big board.  I've been burned too many times in the past.  It was the first time in 6 months that the top 3 of my board had changed.

I've talked to everybody I could about their opinion on the injury.  Most also not qualified to make a medical prognosis, but many who have at least consulted with people who could.  I don't think there's anything definite.  He could let the injury heal and play many healthy seasons, or he could be a ticking time bomb.  I may have slightly more hope now than I did last week, but I can still see either scenario playing out.

Initially, when submitting my big board for version 3 the composite big board, I had moved Embiid back up to second.  I had stumbled upon enough to give me enough hope that, with his talent, I couldn't let him far any further.  However, after hitting submit and sitting there knowing that I wasn't comfortable passing on such a talent, I sent an email at the last minute switching Embiid and Wiggins back to 1 and 2 respectively.

(Article By Derek Bodner - follow him: @DerekBodnerNBA)