NBA Draft rumors: Magic Johnson willing to trade up to draft Markelle Fultz at No. 1
By John Buhler
Magic Johnson apparently loves Markelle Fultz as a prospect. Could the Los Angeles Lakers trade up to No. 1 to take the Washington Huskies point guard?
All aboard the crazy 2017 NBA Draft rumor train! While the top five or six draft prospects have separated themselves from the pack, the amount of draft day trade rumors surrounding teams picking in the top five is starting to grow more insane by the day. The most recent involves Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and Washington Huskies point guard Markelle Fultz.
Johnson is considered to be the greatest point guard in NBA history. He knows talent when he sees it. Coaching talent is another thing, but Johnson knows that the Lakers need a superstar yesterday. However, Fultz may be the No. 1 overall pick in this draft. Los Angeles is picking second.
According to Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony, “Multiples sources have told [him] that Magic [Johnson] ‘is in love’ with [Markelle] Fultz. May try to move up to #1, possibly with a Julius Randle + #2 pick offer.”
Multiple sources have told me that Magic "is in love" with Fultz. May try to move up to #1, possibly with a Julius Randle + #2 pick offer.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 16, 2017
This is the type of NBA Draft gossip we all crave. Would Magic be bold enough to trade up a spot from No. 2 to No. 1 with the Lakers’ biggest historical rival, the Boston Celtics to draft Fultz at No. 1? Boston has taken a liking to Fultz as well, but Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is all about collecting assets. No. 2 plus Randle could be enticing, but might Ainge ask for more?
At No. 2, Boston could take UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, Kansas’ Josh Jackson or any top-tier player of their choice that isn’t Fultz. Randle has the potential to be a good but not great player in the low post. Do the Celtics need another power forward?
If Johnson wants Fultz that badly, he may have to up the ante to include whatever player the Celtics want on the Lakers’ roster. That would include the supposed untradeable Brandon Ingram, last year’s No. 2 overall pick out of Duke.
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Overall, it’s highly unlikely that these two rivals would even consider hammering out a draft day deal. Los Angeles is better served taking either Ball or Fultz at No. 2 by just standing pat. Ainge wins most trades, and it wouldn’t be great for Magic’s ego to be fleeced by the former Celtics point guard he went up against in so many NBA Finals.