76ers, Celtics agree to deal for top pick
Philadelphia and Boston have agreed in principle on a trade by which the 76ers would acquire the chance to take Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.
The Celtics will get the No. 3 pick, plus an additional first-rounder in either 2018 or 2019, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been formally approved by the league. That is expected to happen Monday.
The agreement between the Celtics and 76ers was struck not long after Fultz worked out for Philadelphia on Saturday night. Once the trade goes through, the 76ers will own the No. 1 selection for the second straight season.
Fultz — donning a Philadelphia cap as he arrived at the team’s practice facility — visited the 76ers in a hastily arranged get-toknow-you session, with the workout and meeting with team officials on his itinerary. That visit was essentially the final hurdle to clear before Boston and Philadelphia could decide to actually consummate the trade.
“I don’t really pay attention to everything that’s going on,” Fultz said. “I’m truly blessed to be in this position. Whatever happens, I’m looking forward to taking my talents to wherever I go.”
Barring other changes before Thursday, the first four spots in this year’s draft order would mirror the first four from last year: Philadelphia at No. 1, the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2, Boston at No. 3 and Phoenix at No. 4.
Fultz’s rise to stardom has been rapid. In 2014, he was playing junior varsity basketball in high school. Barely three years later, he’s almost certainly going to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft — and if he gets to start his pro career by calling Philadelphia his new home, he’ll be living roughly a 2½-hour drive from his hometown of Upper Marlboro, Md.
The 6-4 guard averaged 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists in 25 games during his lone college season at Washington.