Report: Joel Embiid to miss 4-6 months after surgery

NBA Draft prospect Joel Embiid is expected to miss 4-6 months after undergoing surgery on a stress fracture in his foot Friday, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

Embiid had two screws inserted into his foot during the surgery, which was performed by Dr. Richard Ferkel at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute.

"Two screws were inserted into the navicular bone in Joel Embiid's right foot," Ferkel said in a statement. "The surgery went very well and I'm confident that after appropriate healing he will be able to return to NBA basketball. Joel tolerated the surgery without difficulty and will begin his rehabilitation in the near future."

Embiid already had some injury concerns, as he missed the final six games of his only season at Kansas due to a back injury. Despite that, prognosticators still expected him to be taken within the first five picks of the draft.

His latest injury was discovered during a physical with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row.

Among the other teams that are interested in him are the Philadelphia 76ers. With Embiid sidelined, the next option for the team may be a point guard.

From the report:

Philadelphia has been intrigued with the possibility of drafting a point guard with one of its picks in the draft, closely studying Dante Exum and Marcus Smart, sources said. Smart wouldn't be selected with Philly's third overall pick, sources said, but Exum does become a candidate for the Sixers at No. 3. Philadelphia has had discussions with teams about gathering an additional pick between its two current choices at No. 3 and No. 10.