Andrew Wiggins, the Kansas wing with the freakish athletic skills, knows what he wants and where he wants to go. So, too, does Duke small forward Jabari Parker, considered the most pro-ready player in the NBA Draft, which takes place Thursday at Barclays Center.
The catch for the Cavaliers, who again hold the No. 1 pick, is: Wiggins or Parker? Parker or Wiggins? Or trade? What’s a rebuilding franchise to do?
However the Cavaliers go, it seems a safe bet Wiggins or Parker will be the first name called by NBA commissioner Adam Silver — unless of course a Kardashian shows up in Brooklyn and is introduced to the crowd for no apparent reason. On Wednesday, Wiggins said he wants to be the first choice while Parker said he would be perfectly content going second to Milwaukee.
“It’s more of the competitive side of me, wanting to be above everybody else, not wanting anyone to go ahead of me,” Wiggins said of his desire to be picked first.
There were reports the possible No. 2 pick, Parker, did not try hard in his workout with Cleveland. Parker was irked by those reports claiming he tanked because he preferred Milwaukee, which is closer to his hometown of Chicago.
“I have too much pride to waste other people’s time. I come from Duke and most importantly I come from a family with good values and I don’t have time to just waste other people’s opportunities,” said Parker, whose father, Sonny, played for the Warriors. “There’s going to be a lot of speculation and a lot of negativity but I would be glad to look that person in the eye that wrote that stuff and they can give me their assumptions.”
Parker seemed fine with finishing second, especially after meeting with the Bucks.
“I have some comfort level with them especially with them telling me, ‘We want you.’ I didn’t get really any answers from the Cavs so I’m just going with what I’m certain with,” said Parker, who was among 20 draft hopefuls in Midtown on Wednesday.
Whether Wiggins or Parker goes first, that honor probably comes because the guy who so many forecast as the odds-on favorite, Kansas center Joel Embiid, was waylaid by a fractured foot.
“He is raw, but his footwork is as good as any I’ve seen in a long time,” one NBA talent evaluator said of Embiid.
But factor in Embiid’s in-season back injury and he becomes too big a risk as the No. 1 overall selection. So Wiggins and Parker are the favorites for draft night’s biggest honor.
Parker is an offensively gifted player whose defense needs work. Wiggins, hopeful to become the second straight Canadian drafted No. 1 after Anthony Bennett last year, is the opposite. He’s a defensive wizard whose biggest rap is he defers on offense and can be too passive.
“That’s just people talking,” Wiggins said. “If it’s someone that matters, like a GM or something, then I would think about it. But if it’s like a reporter that doesn’t know, I’m like, ‘OK.’ ”
It’s doubtful reporters will pick no. 1.
“I’m prepared. No matter what team I go to, I want to win. That’s my goal. No one wants to be a loser,” Wiggins said. “I’ll be a good fit, make an impact for any team.”
Reports say the Cavaliers are fielding numerous trade offers for that top pick. When Cleveland won the lottery, new general manager David Griffin said he would do anything to help his team “get radically better much quicker.”
The Cavaliers are said to be intrigued by a possible deal with the Magic for Arron Afflalo plus picks 4 and 12. There was a report Cleveland sought to acquire the Timberwolves’ Kevin Love, but that was squashed reportedly because of Love’s lack of interest in re-upping in Cleveland. But the Cavaliers can wait until they are on the clock and see if an even better offer materializes.