When it comes to working out how is going to be the first pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, there has been a lot of writing and re-writing in the past few days. This is because the previously hotly tipped candidate, Joel Embiid, has suffered a foot injury which has required an operating which could see him out for up to six months. This is the sort of timescale that will impact any basketball team’s thoughts on choosing a player at the Draft and this means that there has been a scramble to see who would best suit the bill as the No. 1 draft pick.
One candidate that is standing out from the crowd is Dante Exum, the Australian player who has stood out from the crowd for a considerable player. The tall player, coming in at 6’6, is believed to be on the radar of the Cleveland Cavaliers, which could see the player become the number one pick of the 2014 Draft. This could see Exum joining up with Kyrie Irving and Matthew Dellavedova, who were born in Australia. This may provide the player with a better chance of settling into the NBA, which is always an important aspect when you bring an 18 year old into the big league.
Not too many people have seen Exum in action yet
While there has been great media interest in Exum, there have not been a lot of games for the media to base their opinion on. With no college pedigree behind him, Exum has not had a chance to dazzle or excite in the way that some players have but a starring role in the Under 19 World Cup has certainly paved the way for Exum to be a success. Exum did cause a stir in 2013 when he wowed scouts at the Nike Hoops Summit in America but there is a lot to be said for the fact that Exum hasn’t played competitively at the highest level yet.
However, Exum has trained with the Orlando Magic, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers in recent times and he is tipped to spend some time with the Cavaliers in the days leading up to the 2014 NBA Draft. If Exum does get the nod as the number one draft pick, he will not be the first Australian to achieve this accolade. In 2005 Andrew Bogut was the top choice and in 2011, Kyrie Irving was the benefactor. The fact that Exum could team up with Irving could be something that excites the player and appeals to the Cavaliers. Even if Exum isn’t selected first, there is a general acceptance that he will appear at the top end of the NBA Draft this year.
While Joel Embiid wasn’t everyone’s first choice for number one NBA Draft, he was highly ranked. His injury and subsequent operation has caused a lot of experts to rethink their choice and tips. It may be that Dante Exum is the main benefactor of this changes.
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