The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics have reached an agreement in swapping picks. Mark Spears of ESPN confirmed that the 76ers will receive the No. 1 overall pick while the Celtics will receive the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The Celtics will receive a package of picks while the 76ers are expected to take Washington guard, Markelle Fultz, with the pick.
Philly makes statement with deal
The 76ers are sending away a piece of their future to make sure that get Fultz. This is a statement from the upper management saying that Fultz is a player that can help the 76ers get out from the bottom of the NBA basement.
Fultz averaged 23.2 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Fultz will be the most hyped up guard since the days when the 76ers had Allen Iverson. The momentum leading up to this started earlier today when Fultz had a workout with Philadelphia.
Josh Jackson likely to be a Celtic
Kansas forward, Josh Jackson, will most likely be drafted by the Celtics. Jackson was reported days ago to be a player liked by general manager, Danny Ainge. Jackson will fit in as a bench player in the small forward position nicely as Gerald Green is an upcoming free agent. Jae Crowder is still on the roster but has been subjected to trade rumors as the Celtics could make a run at a possible trade, or free agent Gordon Hayward.
Deal will be finalized on Monday
The deal has not leaked details of what the Celtics will get with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. As reported earlier today, if the Celtics could net a first round pick for next year's draft, the Celtics would have three first round picks in 2018. The Celtics already have three picks in the second round of this draft as well.
Jimmy Butler trade could be next
The Bulls are looking for a package of picks for their superstar wingman. The Celtics might have enough to make a run at Butler. If the Celtics have three first rounds picks for next year's draft, a trade that features a combination of draft picks with Jae Crowder could be a realistic possibility.
The Butler trade seems more realistic than the signing of Gordon Hayward. Hayward can be offered up to $180 million from the Utah Jazz. The Celtics can't offer anything more than $133 million. As Hayward is a great scorer, Butler is one of the best two-way players in the league. Butler will offer 20 points a game while playing superb defense. This trade could lead to the start of acquisitions that make the Celtics a contender with the Cavaliers.
