76ers take Fultz, Lakers grab Ball in NBA draft

NEW YORK — The Philadelphia 76ers got the player they wanted and Lonzo Ball the team he wanted.

The 76ers selected guard Markelle Fultz on Thursday night with the No. 1 pick and the Lakers followed by taking Ball, the start of a record-setting run of one-anddones in the NBA draft. The point guards from the Pac-12 Conference began a run of seven straight freshmen. Nine of the first 10 selections played just one season of college ball.

A night that’s usually about the rookies quickly was jolted by another of the big moves involving veterans that have come in a flurry since the NBA Finals. The Chicago Bulls traded three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and the 16th overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 overall draft pick.

While that was being completed, the draft got off to a familiar start with the same top-four picks as last year: Philadelphia, the Lakers, Boston and Phoenix.

The 76ers had the top pick for the second straight year after trading with Boston on Monday.

Fultz, who played just 25 college games, said it was always his dream to be the top pick and wasn’t bothered that Boston traded the chance to take him.

Ball then got the wish he and his father, LaVar, wanted all along by staying in L.A., where he starred last season at UCLA. LaVar Ball had said his son would only play for the Lakers, and it was clear that would happen when Lonzo got a phone call with the Lakers on the clock.

The Celtics then took Duke’s Jayson Tatum at No. 3 after moving down two spots in the trade with Philadelphia, drawing cheers from a large contingent of their fans at Barclays Center wearing green.

The Suns took Josh Jackson of Kansas, the Sacramento Kings took Kentucky guard De’Aaron Fox at No. 5 and the run of freshmen continued when the Orlando Magic selected Jonathan Isaac.

New York Knicks took French guard Frank Ntilikina at No. 8. The top 10 was rounded out with two more freshmen: Dennis Smith Jr. of North Carolina State to Dallas at No. 9, and Gonzaga’s Zach Collins at No. 10 with the Kings’ second pick.

Toronto Raptors grabbed Indiana small forward OG Anunoby at No. 23.

The 6-7 Hoosier is coming off an ACL injury that required surgery but is known to be an elite athlete who’s a strong defensive player and a terrific rebounder though he has limited offensive skills.