Chad Ford of ESPN.com unveiled his latest Insider-only mock draft today, and it has the Bucks taking Joel Embiid first overall. Much could change over the more than five months between now and draft night, of course, and recent reports suggest Embiid and fellow top prospect Jabari Parker might not be available. There are plenty of significant developments going on that will affect what happens when soon-to-be commissioner Adam Silver steps to the podium on June 26th. Here’s the latest, culled from Ford’s mock and his weekly chat:
- The Bucks, who have the best shot at the No. 1 overall pick, probably won’t pull off a major trade at the deadline, sources tell Ford.
- There are a few GMs who don’t consider Andrew Wiggins a top-three prospect, but all of those executives are habitually risk-averse, according to Ford.
- The Sixers have Wiggins and Parker at Nos. 1 and 2 on their board, Ford writes.
- Ford figures that Parker’s Mormon faith makes it much less likely he’d leave Utah as a free agent if the Jazz were to draft him, increasing the likelihood that the Jazz would take him No. 1 overall if they have the chance.