The stock of Baloncesto Sevilla's Kristaps Porziņģis is reportedly rapidly rising as the 2015 NBA Draft draws near, as per Bleacher Report. According to rumors, the Philadelphia 76ers are eyeing to select the 7-foot-1 phenom from Latvia with their no. 3 pick on Thursday.

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All this craze on Porziņģis began on June 12 when his camp released a video of the shooting big man's pre-draft workout in front of NBA executives and scouts in Las Vegas. It showcased the 19-year-old's uncanny ball-handling abilities for his size, immense shooting range, and top-of-the-rim finishes that attracted the interest of everyone who had watched it.

Speculations had since arisen that the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Sacramento Kings are interested in this raw talent. Even top-pick owners Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers were allegedly pondering on passing up Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor for the young European.

But the 76ers are said to be quite locked in at Porziņģis even if D'Angelo Russell would still be available.

ESPN's Chad Ford reported that Sixers president and general manager Sam Hinkie is "leaning toward Porziņģis". With its surplus of young and talented big men in the presence of Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid, the obvious need in Philadelphia is at the one or two guard spot.

Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay are two of the noisiest names to be selected at no. 3, but with Hinkie's penchant of always drafting the best available player, there is a huge possibility that the team will use the third pick on the European stalwart.

Another speculation is that the Philadelphia rumor is just a way to cover the Magic's plan to trade their 5th pick plus another asset to the Sixers, who would definitely use it to grab the Latvian. Porziņģis is said to be fond of playing in Orlando than anywhere else.

NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk said that Porziņģis is "labeled as a serious threat" to crash the widely-anticipated one-two-three order of Towns, Okafor, and Russell on June 25.

Rumors will surely continue to pick up as the NBA teams' execs, management, and coaches finalize their strategies and prepare for what is turning out to be one of the most highly interesting draft nights in recent history.

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, philadelphia 76ers, Kristaps Porziņģis