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Redrafting The 1st Round Of The 2014 NBA Draft

By Colby Giacubeno

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number one overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number one overall pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks during warm ups before playing against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks during warm ups before playing against the Miami Heat at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Boston Celtics: Joel Embiid, Kansas

Original selection: 3rd by the Philadelphia 76ers

2015-16 statistics: Out for season with right foot injury

If Joel Embiid is never able to play in the NBA, this pick could go down as one of the most disappointing in NBA Draft history. During his one season at Kansas, he was drawing comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon with the way he could score in the low-post using his footwork.

Before the draft, Embiid underwent surgery on his right foot for a broken navicular bone. The surgery has a history to be unforgiving to big men in the past, so it was difficult to be optimistic in Philadelphia. After Embiid was ruled out for this season (his second-straight) there is a fear that the nightmares could very well become reality.

The reason why Boston would still take Embiid with their high draft pick is because of the potential if Embiid can indeed make a comeback. There have been tons of rumors that Boston is in the works to try and trade for DeMarcus Cousins, but if Embiid would have panned out, the Celtics would be more than set at center.

It’s easy to say “what if,” but with a healthy Embiid and their already strong, young roster, Boston would likely be battling with Cleveland for the next couple years with Cleveland.

Next: No. 7