2014 NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Australia’s Dante Exum
Potential Landing Spot:
Exum has only worked out for teams in the top four of the draft and it appears his most likely landing spot is between three and four. After discovering an injury to Kansas big man Joel Embiid, the Cavaliers, who own the top overall pick rushed to get Exum in for a workout, although there has been no word as to whether they were successful.
Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker appear almost certain to go in the top two, but Exum is the one wildcard who could shake up the draft. Embiid and Exum have possibly the highest potential of any players in the draft class and it is hard to imagine either of them slipping any lower than the Celtics at No. 6.
Teams That Makes Sense:
Orlando Magic
The Magic own the fourth pick in the draft and have been searching for a long-term replacement for veteran point guard Jameer Nelson. Exum impressed the Magic in individual workouts, more so than other potential pick Marcus Smart and Orlando has long been rumored to be intrigued by the young Aussie. Even prior to the draft lottery, Exum flagged Orlando as a team he would like to play for and has a good relationship with last year’s rookie Victor Oladipo.
On Oladipo, his pairing in the backcourt with Exum would be a huge part of why this seems like the most likely destination. The Magic experimented playing Oladipo at both guard positions last season but he does not appear to be a full-time point guard. Pairing him with Exum would allow them both to share the responsibility of being the primary ball handler and playmaker, while also having the defensive versatility to cover either back court position.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers may have been the team most impacted by Embiid’s injury report, as they looked certain to take whichever one of Embii, Wiggins or Parker dropped on draft night. While they do already have Rookie of the Year winner Michael Carter-Williams at point guard, the versatility and length of pairing him with Exum could be quite the experiment. They would both need to work on their outside shooting but the passing and defense would be exceptional.
76ers coach Brett Brown was the national team coach when Exum was first selected to the Australian roster and is more familiar than most with the young guard. Brown has worked personally on Exum’s development and if anyone knows how much potential he has it is the current Philadelphia coach. If the 76ers don’t want to take another big man who could miss their rookie year with injury, Exum could easily slide into the top three.