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Duke forward Jayson Tatum works out for Celtics as potential No. 3 overall pick

By Trey Daubert

Feb 25, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) dribbles the during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) dribbles the during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Celtics hold the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and have worked out Jayson Tatum.

Have the Celtics zeroed in on the player they want with the third overall selection? With Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball expected to go one-two; Boston seems to be on the clock. The Celtics brought in Jayson Tatum for a work out as the team tries to decide between Tatum and Kansas product Josh Jackson.

Dave McMenamin of ESPN has reported on Tatum’s work out with the Celtics:

"“A league source told ESPN that Tatum — a 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in his lone season at Duke — worked out for the Celtics at their practice facility in Waltham, Massachusetts.”"

Boston holds the third pick after trading down in the draft in a deal with Philadelphia. While many pundits expected Boston to just take Markelle Fultz, the team apparently doesn’t believe there is much separation between the top tier draft prospects. Monday was the first time the Celtics had an actual meeting with the Duke product.

McMenamin also adds that Boston is trying to convince Josh Jackson and Lonzo Ball to workout with the team before Thursday’s draft. Jackson also seems like a likely choice as Danny Ainge has always been fond of gritty players like Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. Jackson fits that mold as a potential defensive stalwart and extremely athletic wing player.

However, knowing Trader Danny’s track record, it’s hard to predict exactly what he is going to do. It’s possible the Celtics use some of those trade assets on a Paul George deal. A potential Jimmy Butler deal does seem off the table at this point according to the latest draft rumors.

Next: NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Boston Celtics

Boston fans could be clamoring for the Jayson Tatum selection, however, as he is eerily similar to former Celtics great Paul Pierce. Tatum averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game during his lone season with Duke.

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