Over the course of the next 36 hours, Fultz got another unexpected Auerbach history lesson, this time in the business of basketball. At the time it was just speculation, but after discussions reportedly heated up this week, it looks like the deal may be actually happening.
The Sixers have a ton - A TON - of picks to work with in the next few years. But the Sixers essentially gave the Celtics only two first-round picks, suggesting they stood their ground and got Fultz while keeping one of their valuable future first-rounders.
The Boston Celtics will send the first overall pick to Philadelphia in exchange for the third overall, the Lakers' first round for next year, and the Sacramento Kings first rounder in 2019.
Markelle Fultz is a remarkable talent on the basketball court, but is the likely No. 1 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft a victor?
Are you insane Danny Ainge? Yes, Philadelphia is home for Lowry and the team, which has many huge Lowry fans in its braintrust, has the cash to sign him and is now closer to being competitive than it has been in years, but Fultz plays his position. But the No. 3 pick and a lottery pick next year or the year after that isn't nothing. When it was reported Boston was seriously considering Jackson at No. 1, we weren't sure if it was pre-draft posturing.
Or, maybe it all breaks right for the Celtics.
The danger there is that, given how dominant the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors were this season, some will wonder if developing a young talent like Fultz might have been Boston's best chance to compete both now and further down the road. The Celtics clearly did not feel that Fultz was far-and-away the best player in this class and made a decision to trade down a couple of spots and pick up future draft capital.
By adding Fultz to a core that already includes Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Dario Saric, the Sixers have fulfilled the process began by now-internet deity Sam Hinkie, whose seeds reap rewards in his absence - and even though it may not be to his liking.
After jury deadlocks, Bill Cosby faces 2nd sex assault trial
At least 10 women have pending civil claims against Cosby in lawsuits filed in California and MA . She also criticized the judge, the accuser's lawyers and the media.
The question now is, will the Celtics draft Josh Jackson out of Kansas No. 3 (they are rumored to like him), keep him and continue their slow build? Those people are stupid. Otherwise, what we have above is the track record of the last 12 No. 1 and No. 3 overall picks. If the Sixers have five first round picks in the next three years, how will all those players fit on the roster? He could spot open players and detect mismatches. "I have to get a cheesesteak". And since Jordan retired, nearly half of the total Finals MVPs awarded went to No. 1 overall picks, as James, Duncan and O'Neal won nine of the 19 in that span. They may be beyond more fixable than a top pick.
Isaiah Thomas and Jimmy Butler, pictured in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at TD Garden on April 26, 2017 in Boston, could become teammates if the Celtics are willing to trade some of their future draft picks.
If they trade one pick, they'll still have half that.
And that's if they deal the No. 3 pick, plus the Lakers' and Kings' picks. This is a deal worth making. A deal could also fall through if teams can't come to agreements on pick protections.
We don't yet know what Danny Ainge is going to do with these picks he's accumulated.
UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
Ainge loves Jimmy Butler (read: reasons that Ainge loves any player), 76ers want to dump Jahlil Okafor, and Chicago finally decides to go nuclear.
Comments