The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers great position if they trade for Markelle Fultz or not

By Daniel Stets

Jan 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against the Oregon Ducks during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Oregon defeated Washington, 83-61. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles against the Oregon Ducks during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Oregon defeated Washington, 83-61. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Markelle Fultz Close To Joining Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers gave no clues on that ordinary Friday afternoon of June 16, 2017. Then news broke. The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics are in advanced dialogue regarding the number one pick.  Philadelphia, with a gaping hole at guard complimenting Ben Simmons, want the perfectly suited Markelle Fultz.

Fultz, Simmons, and Embiid would potentially be the best young big three since Durant, Westbrook, and Harden. And three is the magic number for a true Championship team.  It’s a perfect fit, too. Embiid would be the defensive anchor. Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz would give Philadelphia two elite passers to run the offense through. Fultz is also a knockdown three point shooter. He averaged 41.3 percent from three point range, on 5.0 attempts per game at Washington. In addition to this, Fultz got to the line 6.7 times per game as a  Washington Husky. Combine this with Embiid, who got to the line 7.9 times per game last year, and Philadelphia is looking at a team with incredible offense upside for the future.

Rumored Package For Fultz

However, trading for Fultz will come at a massive price. Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Sixers would move the number three overall pick, and the 2018 Lakers pick in a package for Fultz. If I were pushed to speculate, I would surmise that Boston is holding out for the Sacramento 2019 pick as well. If this is the case, Philadelphia should walk. Trading the third overall pick, plus two future unprotected firsts that are owned by bad, incompetent franchises is too much. The highest Philadelphia should go would be this, or a package similar to this.

Boston receives: Pick #3, 2018 Philadelphia first round pick, 2019 first round pick, Oklahoma City  2020 first round pick (protected 1-20)

Philadelphia receives: Pick #1

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Other package possibilities

However, the great thing about Philadelphia’s situation is, even if they do trade the third pick, plus the 2018 first round pick plus the 2019 first round pick plus the 2020 Oklahoma city protected first round pick, they’re still getting Markelle Fultz. We had asked the question already of what it would take, and in that assessment it could be as little as the 2017 third pick, and the 2018 first round pick of the 76ers.

While some are suggesting the picks will be those of the 2018 Los Angeles Lakers and the 2019 Sacramento Kings picks, that trade is too much of an overpay for my taste. Neither the Lakers nor Kings find themselves in position for playoff runs.  Both teams are currently bad franchises.

Losing both of those picks for Fultz alone means there’s a strong likelihood at losing a chance at another top three pick, potentially even two. However, I still would not blame them for doing it. On one hand, If the Sixers think Markelle Fultz is the missing piece for a title contending core, then they must go for it.  On the other hand, if they don’t trade for Fultz, they still have Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, the  third pick, and multiple future firsts. In conclusion, Philadelphia is in great position for the present and the future, regardless of what they do.