The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have been in trade talks since Friday, surrounding the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Late Saturday night, reports confirmed that the Celtics agreed in principle to trade the first overall pick to the Sixers for the No. 3 pick in this year’s\u00a0draft, as well as future draft selections including the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2018 first-round pick.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheVertical\/status\/875839934850109440<\/p>\n
With an eye to acquiring\u00a0what most call “can’t miss prospect” Markelle Fultz<\/a><\/strong>, the 76ers began negotiating with the Celtics on Friday. Fultz was expected to be drafted first overall by the Celtics after fellow draftee Lonzo Ball<\/a> <\/strong>shunned an opportunity to meet with them. Early Saturday afternoon, Adrian Wojnarowski<\/strong> of The Vertical<\/em> tweeted the following;<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/WojVerticalNBA\/status\/876129772836966403<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/WojVerticalNBA\/status\/876130480474738688<\/p>\n Late on Saturday night, NBA.com’s David Aldridge<\/strong> tweeted the following:<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/daldridgetnt\/status\/876261710189002752<\/p>\n Wojnarowski also tweeted:<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/WojVerticalNBA\/status\/876263342519844865<\/p>\n Wojnarowski further stated, “Fultz wouldn’t have gone into a workout with the 76ers (who own the No. 3 pick) without having assurance that a trade was agreed upon.”<\/p>\n According to multiple reports, the Celtics additionally receive a protected 2018 first-round pick from the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Aldridge wrote the following<\/a>:\u00a0<\/a>“The Celtics will also get at least one future first-round pick from Philadelphia, believed at present to be the unprotected 2018 first-rounder the 76ers will receive next year from the Lakers, via the Suns, as part of a three-team deal in 2015 between Philly, Milwaukee, and Phoenix. The 76ers got the 2018 first from the Suns in a deal that sent Michael Carter-Williams<\/a><\/strong> from Philly to Milwaukee, and guard Brandon Knight<\/a><\/strong> from Milwaukee to Phoenix. The Suns had originally acquired the pick from Los Angeles as part of the trade in 2012 that sent Steve Nash<\/a><\/strong> to the Lakers.”<\/p>\n What does it all mean? This move indicates that the Celtics are looking to fill a need position, most likely on the wing or in the post. With All-NBA guard Isaiah Thomas<\/a><\/strong> returning, drafting Fultz would cause a glut at an already strong position. The Celtics are stocking up assets for a possible move to acquire a star player at the trade deadline.<\/p>\n For the 76ers, drafting Fultz gives them a key piece in their rebuilding efforts. With the return of outstanding rookies Joel Embiid<\/a><\/strong> and Dario Saric<\/a><\/strong>, Philadelphia’s future looks bright. Also, the 2016 draft’s No. 1 overall pick,\u00a0Ben Simmons<\/a><\/strong>, is returning after a season-long\u00a0absence. The future is bright for the\u00a076ers organization as the assets acquired by former general manager Sam Hinkie<\/strong> continue to bear fruit.<\/p>\n Following his workout with the 76ers, Fultz spoke with reporters.<\/p>\n “The upside of it would be crazy,” Fultz said. “I’m close to home, so a lot of my family can come out and just show love. This city has great fans.”\u00a0Fultz is a Maryland native, making Philadelphia one of the closest NBA cities to his home.<\/p>\n Both teams plan to conduct a trade call on Monday with the NBA office. The NBA Draft will take place on Thursday, June 22, at the Barclays Center.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Main Photo:<\/p>\nDeal agreed upon<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Transaction Details<\/strong><\/h3>\n