The Philadelphia 76ers wanted Markell Fultz to come in, talk to him, get a look at his medical records, see how coachable he was, and just get a sense of the man. They did that with his workout Saturday.
Now the Celtics and Sixers have agreed to a trade that will send Philadelphia the No. 1 pick for the No. 3 this year, the Lakers first rounder next year with protections (it is rumored it has to fall between 2 and 5), then if that pick doesn’t convey the Celtics get the Kings 2019 first rounder, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Multiple reports had details, David Aldridge of TNT and Wojnaowski of Yahoo Sports were the first.
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
Sixers needed Fultz workout/meeting to complete deal w/ Celtics and, as expected, sides have deal for No. 1 pick. Trade call planned Monday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2017
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
Lakers had interest in pursuing a deal for No. 1 pick/Fultz, but Sixers ability to potentially deliver 3 FRP's in deal too much to overcome. https://t.co/9aBUwqVMiq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2017
For the Sixers, it gives them a potential future lineup of Fultz, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid -- that could be a powerhouse in a few years. And they still have the money to bring in some veterans to go around them, and plenty of future picks to add depth.
The Celtics take a huge risk moving the No. 1 pick -- if Fultz has an All-NBA level career for years this will be a blow to Boston. However, they save $1.4 million more toward the max money they need to offer Gordon Hayward (they still have a couple million to clear), or maybe Blake Griffin. Plus these picks could be part of trade packages for other stars such as Jimmy Butler, or the Celtics could just hold onto them and draft high.
Boston fans don’t love this trade right now, but in a few years they may feel differently. Sixers fans hope not.