![The Los Angeles Lakers may try to trade for Boston's No. 1 pick in order to draft Markelle Fultz. [Image via LakersNation/YouTube]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/6/17/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-los-angeles-lakers-may-try-to-trade-for-bostons-no-1-pick-in-order-to-draft-markelle-fultz-image-via-lakersnationyoutube_1391109.jpg "The Los Angeles Lakers may try to trade for Boston's No. 1 pick in order to draft Markelle Fultz. [Image via LakersNation/YouTube]")
With the NBA Draft 2017 edition less than a week away, NBA trade rumors are heating up. One of the biggest bits of speculation going around has been about which teams might try to trade up to get higher picks in the lottery order. A few recent reports indicate that two teams are interested in the Boston Celtics' No. 1 pick: the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. Will either of these squads be able to pull off a deal to acquire Boston's pick, and if so who will they take with the top pick?
Celtics' options
The Boston Celtics made a big trade many seasons ago in which they ended up with the Brooklyn Nets' top pick in the next few NBA Drafts.
That landed them the No. 1 pick this season which follows up them winning the No. 1 seed in the playoffs based on the best record in the Eastern Conference. With that in mind, there have been widespread rumors about what Boston would do with the pick. Will they trade it away, or keep it, and if so, who will they draft to boost their roster?
The analysts' top pick in most NBA mock drafts is Markelle Fultz. It's believed he is the most talented and "NBA-ready" of all the available prospects, although there have been some who contend that Lonzo Ball could be a smart pick as well if teams can handle his outspoken and sometimes meddlesome father.
However, there have been questions about whether or not it's a smart idea for Boston to add another potential star point guard to their lineup with current All-Star leader Isaiah Thomas.
While the two seem like they would be willing to work in the system, one has to wonder. In addition, there are plenty of "experts" who feel Boston needs a veteran star to compete now, rather than waiting on a rookie to pan out.
Sixers & Lakers interested
The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia Sixers will be next in the draft order after the Celtics.
However, both of these teams seem highly interested in having that top pick so they can add a player of Fultz's quality. Neither team made it into the playoffs due to their dismal records last season, and both seem like they are building rosters full of talented young players.
The 12UP website's Nick Brown reported on Friday that Los Angeles' Lakers boss Magic Johnson "is in love" with Fultz and that could have them try to move up in the draft.
The team might offer their young power forward Julius Randle to the Celtics along with the No. 2 pick in the draft. That would put Fultz in a lineup that already has D'Angelo Russell at guard and is waiting on Brandon Ingram to start to blossom more.
The Philadelphia Sixers also want Markelle Fultz as it was reported that they were in serious trade talks with the Celtics. These NBA Draft trade rumors have picked up due to reports that Boston is interested in Kansas Jayhawks small forward Josh Jackson. It could also indicate that those longtime rumors of Philadelphia sending Jahlil Okafor to the Celtics are closer to happening, with the Sixers' draft pick also involved. That would help Philadelphia establish a young core that includes Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and Joel Embiid.
One thing is becoming more clear through the latest rumors and that is that Lonzo Ball is being viewed as a "less-than-ideal" pick for the Lakers and Sixers. Still, one has to think Ball could be a future star that helps a franchise succeed based on his playmaking abilities.
