/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34848365/20140118_sal_sr9_100.0.jpg)
Joel Embiid's seriously in play for three spots in top part of lottery: 76ers (3), Celtics (6), Lakers (7), league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 26, 2014
Philadelphia and Boston (and Los Angeles) were both privy to Embiid's medical report and according to Chad Ford, it's worse than we thought:
Sources say that the foot and back fractures aren't the only issues with Embiid's physical; there are several other issues that need to be addressed. The Celtics also are engaged in a number of different trade scenarios that could alter their plan (by either trading the pick or getting an established star who would necessitate getting a player in the draft who could help them now).
After losing out on Omer Asik to the Pelicans and with the Kevin Love trade talks apparently dead, getting Embiid at #6 would be a godsend. It's a big gamble, but I'm sure Danny won't make a gamble without some assurances from his medical staff. We can argue whether or not drafting injury-prone players like Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger have been a success, but it's clear that Ainge is a risk taker and if Embiid is available, look for Danny to take another. Embiid tweeted late last night that "I'm a laker" and that simply could have meant that Kupchak promised his agent, Arn Tellum, that he won't fall past #7, but with Philly and Boston picking ahead of them, it's very doubtful he falls to Los Angeles. But then there's this possibility:
Theoretical question; If Embiid falls out of top five, do you call Celtics and say you'll take the deal now if you're Flip?
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) June 26, 2014
For what it's worth, Ford has Dario Saric at #17.