The Sixer Sense
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Report: Sixers will trade for No. 1 pick on Monday

By Christopher Kline

Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) on the bench in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Huskies 81-66. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) on the bench in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Huskies 81-66. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics have reportedly agreed to terms on a deal that will send the first overall selection to Philadelphia.

That once-wishful idea of Markelle Fultz in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform is rapidly morphing into reality. After working out with Fultz on Saturday afternoon, the Sixers have reportedly agreed to terms on a deal with the Celtics, according to David Aldridge. They will receive the first overall pick, which they’ll use to select Fultz.

The Sixers will now boast one of the more gifted triumverates in the league, with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Fultz at the helm. Not only are they all under the age of 24, but the Sixers will have effectively attained the top talent in three of the last four draft classes. For a team looking to compete in the coming months, it’s a substantial step in the right direction.

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Fultz brings a unique blend of polish and upside, combining an offensive repertoire that’s almost devoid of holes with freakish length for the point guard position. He stands at 6-5, yet boasts a wingspan of 6-9. He’s not only capable of making advanced reads in the pick-and-roll due to his height, but is able to gain separation and exploit passing lanes that wouldn’t otherwise be available by virtue of his length.

The Washington product is not only the best scorer in this year’s class, but he’s unequivocally the best passer outside of Lonzo Ball. He vision manifests most clearly in the high pick-and-roll, but is also apparent on quick forays down the lane and timely passes when working off the ball.

It’s his scoring ability, though, that will make the Sixers such a dynamic threat come next season. With Ben Simmons heading the playmaking load, Fultz will be able to work off the ball, finding his spots while being afforded more open, quality looks than he ever received while spearheading the Huskies’ rotational mediocrity last season. He’ll also have one of the league’s best interior presences to work off of in Embiid, giving him a skilled pick-and-roll partner, as well as somebody he can work with in dribble handoffs and several other actions within Brett Brown’s system.

The Sixers have the potential to maximize Fultz’s efficiency while covering up any of the minute deficiencies in his game. He already displays a sense of control that rarely shows up in 19-year-olds. Now he’ll be placed into a rotation that doesn’t need him to press.

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It’s the perfect marriage of offensive talent and a system that could maximize it. In a league that thrives on versatility and perimeter-oriented play, the Sixers will now have the pieces needed to compete at the highest of levels down the road.