While the Los Angeles Lakers were thrilled to walk away from the NBA Draft Lottery with the second overall pick, the Boston Celtics emerged with the top prize: the first overall pick.
The general consensus is that they will use it to select Washington guard Markelle Fultz, who is widely believed to be the most talented player in this year’s strong draft class.
Fultz went to Boston for a workout earlier this week, and the rumor was that he wouldn’t be visiting any other teams, which only solidified the notion that the Celtics were locked in on him.
However, it appears that plans may have changed, and now Fultz is expected to work out for the Sacramento Kings this weekend, according to Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee:
Hearing late tonight that possible overall No.1 draft pick Markelle Fultz is working out for Kings on Sunday. Media availability unclear …
— Ailene Voisin (@ailene_voisin) June 9, 2017
Those who have been following the draft closely have to be surprised by this report. The highest pick the Kings own is fifth overall, and it would appear to be nearly impossible for Fultz to fall that far assuming nothing catastrophic came back on his medical report. Even if the Celtics defied convention and passed on him, the Lakers would certainly take him second and the Philadelphia 76ers would lose their process-trusting minds if Fultz was there for them at three.
With that being the case, Fultz working out for Sacramento has already triggered speculation of a trade. In addition to the fifth pick, the Kings also own the 10th pick (via the New Orleans Pelicans) and have a few intriguing young players on their roster like Skal Labissiere, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Buddy Hield. While it wouldn’t appear that they have enough chips to get the first overall pick, stranger things have happened.
Sacramento was already rumored to be interested in moving up to draft De’Aaron Fox, so this will be a situation to watch closely.
