Sixers in talks with Celtics to trade for No. 1 overall pick

The thought was that the 76ers were going to miss out on their perfect fit in the NBA draft.

When they were awarded the third pick in last month's draft lottery, the belief was the Sixers would have to settle for drafting players with question marks in Thursday's NBA draft. However, the Sixers could get the player they always coveted in Washington point guard Markelle Fultz.

Multiple sources confirmed reports that the Sixers were in talks Friday with the Boston Celtics, who have the first pick in the draft. The trade, if it happens, might not occur this weekend, and it could become a draft-night deal.

According to the Vertical, the Sixers would surrender the third pick in addition to a future first-rounder in exchange for Boston's No. 1 overall pick. The 2018 unprotected first-rounder the Sixers will receive from the Los Angeles Lakers is also part of the discussion, according to the report.

Talks are reportedly far enough along that Fultz could meet with the Sixers in Philadelphia as early as Saturday. A source said Fultz was scheduled to have a second meeting with the Celtics on Saturday. However, that meeting was canceled. Another source said late Friday night that the Sixers had scheduled a workout or meeting with Fultz. That was part of the reason why the trade appears to be on hold.

The Sixers were busy on Friday. Talk of the trade discussions came the same day that Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo, vice president of player personnel Marc Eversley and coach Brett Brown had a private workout with Josh Jackson in Sacramento, Calif.

A source said the Celtics are also considering Jackson in the draft but not at the first pick. They think it would be a reach and that he wouldn't live up to the pressure that comes with being the first overall selection.
Plus, the Celtics don't need another ball-handler. They already have four in all-star Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier and Demetrius Jackson. Jackson got most his playing time with the Boston's G-League team, the Maine Red Claws. The Celtics would have to let one of them go to make room for Fultz.

That's why the trade makes sense for both teams. The Celtics would get Jackson at No. 3 and something else back from the Sixers. In Fultz, the Sixers would get someone who would be a seamless pair with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Fultz is extremely versatile. He can score and create opportunities for others. His first step is deceptive. He's shifty, changes direction with ease, and is an exceptional ball handler. Fultz also can pull up and shoot the three-pointer. He made 41.3 percent of his shots from the college three-point range. And he can slide off the ball and be a solid addition next to Simmons.

Kentucky point guard De'Aaron Fox, Duke small forward Jayson Tatum, N.C. State point guard Dennis Smith Jr., UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball and Kentucky shooting guard Malik Monk appear to be the other serious options for the Sixers if they remain at No. 3.

The Sixers will meet with Fox in an individual workout on Saturday. That will come after Saturday morning's workout featuring forward Luke Kornet (Vanderbilt), guards Naz Long ( Iowa State) and Sterling Brown (SMU) and centers IIimane Diop (Baskonia), Damonte Dodd (Maryland) and Alpha Kaba (Mega Leks).