It may be too risky for the Cavaliers to take the most valuable player in the NBA Draft.
Joel Embiid, the Kansas center whom Cleveland reportedly had been leaning toward taking with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft next week, has suffered a stress fracture in his right foot, his agent, Arn Tellem, told Yahoo! Sports.
Tellem stated Embiid will have surgery Friday.
According to Yahoo! Sports, the injury was discovered in a physical conducted by Cavaliers team doctors, and Embiid will consult with orthopedist Dr. Richard Ferkel in LA before making a determination on possible surgery.
The 7-footer from Cameroon already was considered a potentially risky pick due to a back injury that caused him to miss the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments during his lone season with the Jayhawks. He averaged 11.2 points. 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks as a freshman.
Following a workout with Cleveland this month, Embiid received positive reviews, with medical testing providing no red flags.
Feet injury are especially worrisome for big men, considering the problems they caused for centers Bill Walton, Yao Ming, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Brook Lopez, among others.
Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker are considered the other potential candidates to be selected No. 1 overall.