NBA Draft: Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers Agree to Swap Picks (Report)
Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to swap picks in a trade that will finalize Monday prior to the 2017 NBA Draft. 

The Boston Celtics have been all but sold on Markelle Fultz after the Draft Lottery was held. This week, however, it all changed.

Marc Stein of ESPN first reported yesterday afternoon that trade talks had commenced between the 76ers and Celtics regarding the first overall pick:

Stein then followed up by reporting rumored trade pieces, surprisingly no players are involved:

The rumors were considered all but truth and advanced so far that No. 1 prospect Markelle Fultz scrapped a meeting with Boston. He rerouted to Philadelphia for a workout and dinner with management, that was held earlier this evening.

Around 6 p.m. ET today, Fultz was seen entering the 76ers practice facility donning 76ers gear:

Following his workout and dinner with management, pictures of Fultz with the 76ers young core circled the internet, and former third overall pick Joel Embiid wasn’t shy on his approval:

Less than an hour ago, David Aldridge of TNT reported that the deal has been agreed to in theory. It will be finalized with definite pieces involved come Monday.

With Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Smart manning the point guard position, the opportunity to develop a player like Fultz just isn’t there. With the 3rd overall pick, the Celtics are expected to target shooting guard Josh Jackson out of Kansas University.

As far as the return, the details are not certain, but have been projected.

https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/876267930572513282

The Boston Celtics will send the first overall pick to Philadelphia in exchange for the third overall, the Lakers’ first round for next year, and the Sacramento Kings first rounder in 2019.

For Philadelphia, they add the last piece to a young core that, injury allowing, will make for a dangerous Eastern threat in years to come.

For Boston, they shed nearly $1.4 million in salary cap space, providing even more room to max out a free agent. On the other hand, they’ve just received an additional two assets to put together in a blockbuster trade. Watch them this summer.

Following this breakthrough, one thing has proved true.

Trust the Process. 

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