Celtics reportedly shopping No. 3 pick

Now, the trade-talk decisions are about to get serious.

Comcast SportsNet New England is reporting that the Boston Celtics are aggressively shopping the third overall pick in the June 23 NBA draft.

We will find out if that is a good thing for the 76ers, who already have the first, 24th and 26th picks in the draft. The franchise is expected to decide between Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram with the first overall. However, the Sixers also could use the third pick to draft combo guard Jamal Murray out of Kentucky.

The Sixers likely would have some competition to add the third pick. Former California swingman Jaylen Brown appears to be one of the players that interests Boston. The Celtics probably could select him in the eighth spot, meaning the Phoenix Suns (fourth), Minnesota Timberwolves (fifth), New Orleans Pelicans (sixth), New York Knicks (seventh) and Sacramento Kings (eighth) could be in play.

But it's no secret that the Sixers are looking to restock at the point-guard, shooting-guard, and small-forward positions this summer. It's also no secret that they are overloaded at center with Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, and Joel Embiid.

The team is expected to trade one of them this summer. Okafor, who has the highest trade value, is believed to be the one who will go.

According to a league source, the Sixers were shopping Okafor at the trade deadline. The Boston Herald reported that the Celtics had a deal in place to acquire him then.

Now that Boston has the third pick in the draft, the teams could revisit those trade discussions. That would enable to Sixers to unload a big player for the third pick and draft a guard.

However, the Celtics could ask for a future first-round pick in addition to an "impact" player to make the trade make sense.

Follow and contact PMN 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers