Speaking things into existence has become relevant again in the world of basketball. Lets see if it works for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Lets try LaVar Ball’s ingenious method of speaking things into existence. Markelle Fultz WILL land in Philadelphia. Markelle Fultz WILL be a 76er.
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A lot of things must happen in order for the Philadelphia 76ers to be in a position to draft/acquire Washington point guard, Markelle Fultz. Either the 76ers trade up or hope the teams above them (Celtics and Lakers) fall in love with another player.
Trade Scenario
In this scenario we see the Philadelphia 76ers move up from their number three pick up to the number one pick. It’s not too unrealistic since the Boston Celtics are not in need of a point guard given they have the All-Star, Isaiah Thomas.
It’s tough to gauge what the 76ers would have to give up in order to move up two spots. Perhaps multiple future first round picks on top of some young talent like Furkan Korkmaz or Dario Saric. I’d hate to see either players traded as they offer so much potential, if I was Bryan Colangelo I’d hang up the phone right there if Danny Ainge was asking for Saric.
Nonetheless, I imagine the 76ers, like everyone else, view Fultz as a generational talent. A player that will lead a team to multiple championships. Does Saric or Korkmaz have that kind of potential? Not exactly.
This is a heck of a lot to move up two spots. I’d understand those who wouldn’t do this trade, I’m one of them. I’d rather have a starting five of Ben Simmons, Robert Covington, Josh Jackson, Saric and Joel Embiid over Simmons, Fultz, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Covington and Embiid.
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However, Fultz offers the potential that not many can. Having three potential generational talents in Simmons, Embiid and Fultz on the same team could reign terror on the NBA for the next 15 years.
Teams Fall In Love With Other Players
In this scenario we see the Celtics fall in love with Kansas small forward, Josh Jackson. This is very possible as he would fit better in the Celtics lineup than Fultz would. I expect this to be a prominent smokescreen as we edge closer to the draft.
If the Celtics take Jackson first overall, and the Lakers would still take Lonzo Ball as they are reportedly “enamoured” with Lonzo Ball, then Fultz falls to the laps of the 76ers at pick number three. This could be a similar situation to Jahlil Okafor in 2015; the consensus number one pick for much of the season unexpectedly falls to three on draft night.
Additionally, Jordan Schultz reported that some teams see De’Aaron Fox as the best guard in this draft:
Per source, there are multiple teams in the lottery who feel De'Aaron Fox - not Fultz or Ball - is the top PG in the draft. Continues 2 rise
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 27, 2017
On top of this Schultz again reported that multiple have fallen in love with Josh Jackson. He continued with saying Jackson “has a legit shot to go first overall”:
Multiple teams have fallen in love w/Josh Jackson. Is perhaps highest upside player in this draft and has a legit shot to go first overall.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 19, 2017
If these reports are true then it wouldn’t be that unrealistic to think that there is a chance that Fultz could fall to the 76ers. Of course these could be smokescreens or just a way to get attention but I can see why Jackson could go first overall to the Celtics.
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I think the best bet to secure Fultz is to trade with the Celtics up to number one. The Celtics may be reluctant to trade the top pick to a division rival but if the trade package is good enough Ainge should accept it.