The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade the first overall pick in the NBA Draft to the Philadelphia 76ers, and while terms of the deal are still emerging, it appears as though they will get the number three pick, the Lakers 2018 first round pick, and the Kings 2019 first round pick in exchange.
This is quite a haul that Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge will almost certainly use to pursue a star. The 76ers, meanwhile, will use the pick to select Washington’s Markelle Fultz, who they believe will pair perfectly with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who have the second pick in the NBA Draft, recently worked out Fultz, and were reportedly very impressed. In fact, they attempted to convince the Celtics to do a deal with them instead. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Los Angeles just couldn’t match the 76ers ability to deal three first round picks:
Lakers had interest in pursuing a deal for No. 1 pick/Fultz, but Sixers ability to potentially deliver 3 FRP's in deal too much to overcome. https://t.co/9aBUwqVMiq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 18, 2017
Some will question the 76ers for paying so much in order to draft Fultz, but they clearly believe that he is worth it. The Lakers, meanwhile, would have struggled to match that offer. Their 2018 first round pick is in the hands of the 76ers (and now, apparently, the Celtics), and they don’t have any other incoming first round picks to deal.
As such, their offer would have been limited to the second overall pick, 28th pick, and potentially young players on their roster. Of course, it’s debatable whether or not they would even be willing to part with that many assets. For now, the Lakers will need to focus on figuring out who to select with the second overall pick as Fultz is basically off the board.