Sixers Select Joel Embiid with the Third Overall Pick

With the third pick in the 2014 NBA draft, the Sixers selected Kansas center Joel Embiid.

The Sixers assume the risk of him sitting out the entire 2014-15 season, but Embiid would likely have been the consensus top pick if healthy so there is a large reward that comes with that risk.

So for the second straight season, the Sixers get the best player in the draft who fell due to injury.  Embiid paired with Nerlens Noel give the Sixers two rim protectors - the thing NBA teams value most.

Embiid should be out for 4-6 months due to surgery on his navicular bone.

The Sixers were starting Henry Sims at center down the stretch so adding Noel and now Embiid should make a weakness a strength right away.