76ers, Celtics trade for No. 1 pick reportedly a done deal
After working out Markelle Fultz, the Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly agreed to trade up with the Boston Celtics to the No. 1 pick
All of the dominos seemed to be falling into place for the Philadelphia 76ers to make a massive move. Rumors began to surface in the past couple of days the Boston Celtics were in talks to trade Philly the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. However, it seemed that they just needed to get the terms and fine print worked out.
Now that seems like it’s all going to happen. After the 76ers worked out projected No. 1 pick Markellle Fultz on Saturday, the two sides reportedly agreed to a deal.
David Aldridge of NBA.com and TNT was first to report that the two sides have agreed on a deal that will send the Sixers the first pick. The terms of the deal have not fully been announced. However, the deal will be finalized Monday and, as expected, Fultz will be heading to the 76ers:
Trade between Philly and Boston will be finalized on Monday, per source. Sides have agreed. Sixers will get first pick and take Fultz.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 18, 2017
Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical added to the report that the deal has actually been agreed upon for 24 hours, but needed to simply be confirmed with the Fultz work out. As he reported, the Washington guard wouldn’t have worked out for the Sixers if they weren’t moving up:
Fultz wouldn't have gone into workout with No. 3 without assurance trade was agreed upon. Sides have been locked into deal for 24 hours. https://t.co/IiWBLU8A6z
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2017
This is enormous for the 76ers as they look to take the next step in the famed Process. With the likes of Joel Embiid, Dario Saric and Ben Simmons, they have a stout frontcourt for the future. Now they have a stud in the backcourt coming with Fultz.
Next: Every NBA team's greatest draft pick of all time
What the Celtics do now may be more interesting. After earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference this past season, they have a number of options. The package they get in return for the top pick could be used to trade for Jimmy Butler. Or perhaps they could target a prospect like Josh Jackson. Either way, both the Celtics and 76ers will be sitting pretty once the deal is finalized on Monday.
Update: 10:40 p.m. ET
Wojnarowski is now reporting terms for the deal, which include three picks coming to Boston — obviously including No. 3 overall. Considering their needs and potential plans, this is exactly what the Celtics would want here. Meanwhile, the 76ers are finally making the move to get their guy to try and complete the core of their roster.