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Markelle Fultz will work out for the Kings, is a deal in the works?

By John Buhler

Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) looks on form the bench during a game against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) looks on form the bench during a game against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. The Cougars won 79-71. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Markelle Fultz will work out for the Sacramento Kings. Does this mean Sacramento is thinking about trading up to No. 1 to take the Washington point guard?

Former Washington Huskies point guard Markelle Fultz is considered to be the No.1 prospect in the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft. The Celtics have implied that he’s the player they’re focused on. However, there is at least one other team that covets the Washington point guard: the Sacramento Kings.

According to Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee, “…possible overall No. 1 draft pick Markelle Fultz  is working out for Kings on Sunday.” Sacramento won’t be picking until No. 5 in the upcoming draft and there’s no way Fultz falls that far. Do they have the ammunition to move up to land Fultz at No. 1?

Well, the Kings might, as they not only have the No. 5 overall pick, but own the No. 10 overall pick via the DeMarcus Cousins trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. Could No. 5 and No. 10 be part of a package to entice Celtics general manager Danny Ainge to part ways with the No. 1 overall pick?

It’s no secret that the Kings desperately need a starting point guard going forward. Ty Lawson isn’t exactly reliable and Buddy Hield is clearly a two-guard. Though the Kings could very well land Kentucky Wildcats point guard De’Aaron Fox by standing pat at No. 5, Fultz has the higher upside of the two one-and-doners.

Kings general manager Vlade Divac has already made a blockbuster move in sending franchise cornerstone Cousins to the Pelicans this past calendar. To save his job, he’ll need to land the Kings another star player. Since drafting well has not really been the Kings’ forte, keying in on one player instead of two in the top-10 might be a solid strategy for them.

Keep in mind that the Celtics should also have another great first-round pick next year, they own the Brooklyn Nets pick outright which could very well be the No. 1 overall pick again in the 2018 NBA Draft. Ainge loves assets and could still draft a star player at either No. 5 and No. 10 this year should the Celtics orchestrate a trade with the Kings for No. 1.

There is no way that Fultz will fall to the Kings at No. 5 if they stand pat. Boston will probably take him at No. 1. The Los Angeles Lakers would consider him at No. 2 before taking the local kid Lonzo Ball. While the Philadelphia 76ers could go a lot of different ways at No. 3, it’d be hard to see them pass on Fultz if he’s still available. There is zero chance that the Phoenix Suns pass on Fultz if he miraculously falls to No. 4.

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In short, if the Kings covet Fultz, they will have to move up to get him. They do have the leverage with two picks in the top-10 to make a potential deal happen. The bigger question is if any of the four teams picking ahead of Sacramento will bite on that theoretical offer.

UPDATE (12:45 PM EST):

Things may be more complicated than they first appeared.

Stay tuned for more.

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