4:26pm: The discussions between Philadelphia and Boston are so serious that expected first-overall pick Markelle Fultz could be on his way to meet with the Sixers as early as Saturday, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical tweets.
Both ESPN’s Marc Stein and Wojnarowski (below) have now said explicitly that the deal being negotiated would include a package of Philly draft picks including the No. 3 pick this year.
Such a trade would make Fultz a realistic option for the Sixers, while potentially putting Josh Jackson in line to fall to Boston. Just yesterday we wrote about a connection between the Kansas prospect and the C’s.
4:15pm: The Sixers and Celtics have had serious talks involving the No. 1 pick, Marc Stein of ESPN tweets. Per Zach Lowe of ESPN – who Stein cites in the original tweet – Boston would receive several picks but no players from Philly, leaving Lowe to infer that the No. 3 pick would be involved in the package.
The story is corroborated by Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, who adds that the Sixers are currently awaiting medical information on Fultz. Wojnarowski then goes on to tweet that a source tells him Boston would acquire the No. 3 pick in a package that would also include a future first from Philadelphia.
Trading down from No. 1 to No. 3 would free up $1.4MM worth of cap space for the Celtics, says Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, no small consideration given their expected free agency pursuits of Blake Griffin and Gordon Hayward.
Don’t get why the Celtics would only take picks back and not players as well. Unless Ainge can flip more picks, I just don’t see where this helps.
They love Josh Jackson. Sixers need a scoring PG to go with their core of Okafor, Embiid, and Simmons.. Sixers take Fultz at 1 and the C’s get Jackson and more picks at 3. If that’s really what they’re thinking, it’s the smart move rather than taking Jackson at 1 if they like him that much.
Thats how I see it. Take Jackson and gain some picks in the process.
Don’t forget the cap savings they get paying the #3 pick as opposed to the #1. Most teams picking #1 don’t have cap issues. Boston is looking at big name free agents and to get a guy you want at a lesser price is smart
I actually did forget about that; good point. Though what if the Lakers themselves don’t pass on Jackson? What if they spurn Lonzo and take Jackson? Then it backfires on the Celtics.
Okafor is in no way shape or form part of the Sixers core.
cap room for Hayward or Griffin. It says it right there in the article.
Well I mean clearly that. I just don’t know if passing on Fultz is a smart idea.
Terry Rozier is solid player! Love the kids Drive!
Love Terry Rozier. He’s going to be a solid NBA player. That said, it won’t shock me if he’s the odd man out this offseason.
It helps if Boston is planning on picking J Jackson regardless. They are getting free picks and giving up nothing. Assuming it’s the best offer it’s a win win for Boston.
I agree, but I think it’s interesting that Jackson didn’t work out for them. Didn’t think that they’d make that choice without an in person evaluation. I guess there’s still time.
He can always I guess meet with them or workout with them still. I just still think it’s not the right move. Jackson should be a nice player, but I don’t know if he’d be a better option over Jaylen.
Ainge doesn’t get it. Hes in constant wheeling rebuilding mode. The Caves are not standing pat and you have a window. Get Anthony Davis, Hassan Whiteside or Rudy gobbet r t . if you don’t think IT can play defense, add him to the trade and get j r u e,
D R agic or George hill thrown in. G H is a free agent so Utah would do the trade especially if it means keeping Hayward would be more probable with fultz and IT as his two guards.
Just looked up Ainge s last ten years of picks. You probably couldn’t make the playoffs if he retained all of them. So gaining picks is not a great answer if you don’t have three star players. Lots of average and good players is not going to win.
I would do the deal contingent on receiving the 76’s 1st round pick this and both firsts next year for this years 1st pick, Jae Crowder and a 2nd also going to Philly..
The second contingency would be spinning off the 76’s 1st round pick this year and next, the Celtics own first round pick next year, a 2nd round pick this year and Jalen Brown to the Hornets for Anthony Davis. (3 first round picks, a second and Jaylen Brown)
The 3rd contingency would be signing Gordon Haywood.
This would leave the Celtics with a front court of Davis, Haywood and Horford plus 2 potential lottery picks next year.
If you are going to dream, dream big.
Apparently LA is talking about moving up too. If LA could get someone like Nance or Randle and the second overall for the first overall and like next years Boston first rounder then I’d definetly do it.
Cs have the Nets first rounder again next year. Only way they move that pick is for a Paul George, Butler, max player type.
Do they have swap rights or Brooklyns and their own?
Brooklyn’s AND their own.
So they could do something like the 2nd and Randle for number 1 and bostons 1st next year
To break it down, this is your trade:
So Boston gets the #2 pick in this year’s draft and Randle. The Lakers get the #1 pick in this year’s draft and a pick near the end of the first round next year.
So, you think Boston will trade down AND give up another draft pick to pick up a guy who isn’t very good? I suggest less time playing video games, more time in real life.
Randle is still young and fills a need for them at PF. The Lakers would take this trade if they truly believe Fultz is a long term solution at PG and a future star in the league. I read that that could be a possible trade a couple other places. Thanks for the ignorance though and have a great day!
The Lakers would need to throw more, but Nance/Randle are semi-established rotation players. No guarantee that the Celtics pick next year would turn into anything of value (i.e. draft and stash player or traded for cash/another future pick). I agree that Boston is looking to improve and will only take a trade that would help them (which is why the Lakers would need to throw more, maybe a couple of second rounders or another young player not named Ingram/Russell) but Randle/Nance will be in a better position to help them right away than a pick at the end of the first likely would be.
But if LA gets there next superstar and leads them back to the playoffs and Jackson/Ball or whoever they draft and Randle become the solid rotation guys who get them a championship it’ll be worth it on both sides
Randle isn’t a bad player. He needs to develop a little more but he is still young. He has gotten better across the board no reason to think he won’t develop more.
Of course the Lakers would do that. You’re talking about trading up a pick, getting another draft pick and only giving up one of two guys who are, at best, role players.
Do you really think Boston is going to trade down one pick AND give up a second first round pick to get Nance or Randle??????
Because, what? They are trying not to improve as much as possible?
Boston has a ton of above average players. They don’t need another. They need a star player to compete with GS. And CLE. r a ndle is just another guy at this point.
Also the cap hit is less at 3 than 1 saves enough to get Heyward
They’re prepared for that. Zellers’s contract becomes non guaranteed in July
It will require more than that if they keep the top pick, though. Consensus is that if Cs kept #1 and tried to sign a max, they’d deal Avery or Marcus to make the necessary room
Part of me wonders with stuff coming out that Hayward is intererested, he would take slightly less than the max, and then Boston could deal Marcus, Olynyk resigned at 4/44 (basically clear all the cap holds except Olynyk), might have to be a sign and trade there not sure how that works, Rozier, next year’s Nets pick, Boston’s top 2nd this year, and the Memphis first rounder for Jimmy Butler.
This is a dumb idea. Next year’s draft is gold as well. The Kings 2019 pick is a freaking potential 1st overall. They could be a playoff team with the 1st overall in 2019 just like Boston. Moving up makes no sense. Let Boston take Jackson or Fultz. If it’s Ball at 3 take Fox or trade with the Kings. Tatum or Isaac at 5 or even Ball is better than squandering the entire freaking Process for Fultz even if he is the consensus No 1 the difference between him and the rest isn’t as big this year.
A quote from a different Brian that I knew
“Just stop what your doing, because it’s wrong”
Philly get this done asap please
Celts #1 to 76ers for #3 this year, 2018 top 10 protected and a pair of 2nd rounders?
Zero chance of that trade happening. Look at what the Webber or Carter draft trades involved. This would probably look a little more like that (but not quite so bad).
That’d be the only trade I’d do.
rather than 76’ers protected 1 rd 2018, Lakes first rd unprotected which belongs to 76’ers?
Some history: in 1993, the Warriors traded up from 3 to 1 to get Chris Webber. In addition to the #3 pick, they also sent Orlando three future #1 picks.
Draft picks are a bit more accurately valued now and this was an overpay. But, realistically, moving from #3 to #1 would ordinarily require two future first round picks. I get that Boston (possibly) wants to move down, but I don’t think there’s any chance they’d be willing to only pick up one extra first rounder, especially when there are multiple teams who want to move up to #1.
I really think it would take the #3, probably the Lakers’ #1 next year (but maybe the Sixers’ #1), plus a 2019 or 2020 #1.
Weber >>>>>> Fultz though. Even as a prospect.
1st round picks are somewhat more valuable in today’s NBA … No way 76ers give up 3 1st rounders for . I could see them giving up 2017 #3, and unprotected 2018 first rounder if they REALLY wanted Fultz, but… that’s probably the most Celts can realistically get… Two likely lottery picks for #1 overall this year. Celts don’t necessarily have to make the trade though and I get the hunch the trade won’t happen.
You can’t trade back to back 1st rds any more
Philly owns other firsts though
This is like trading Penny Hardaway for Chris Webber. Warriors should have just kept Hardaway.
Philly radio saying Sixers trading 3 # 1’s for Fultz
Already such a bad trade if it happens.
I agree
This is what this Process is about baby!!! #TTP
Give me Okafor and the #3 for #1
hahahahaha!
Who do you people think runs the Celtics? Children maybe?
Okafor Covington 3 and a 2nd next year for 1
more comedy. I love it. Let’s assume Boston REALLY wants RoCo and Okafor. At best that replaces 1 of the 3 first rounders that would be required to pick up the #1.
So, MAYBE the #3, next year’s Lakers’ first rounder (or less likely, the Sixers’ first rounder) and Okafor and RoCo. But not really. Boston doesn’t want those guys that much. They don’t need another big who can’t defend. And they don’t need another wing defender who can’t shoot.
I think Covington can shoot, and what if they add Holmes and a future first instead of Okafor?
You’re right Covington can shoot and Boston needs bigs who can rebound. For all of my previous bashings of Okafor, that’s one of the few things he can do decently. Plus, Okafor and Covington, at worst, are proven rotation players and are likely to help out just as much, if not more, than whoever goes #1 will.
Not sure it makes sense on the 76ers side , but for the celtics seems like a win win. They will get more draft picks , plus can still get either , Jackson , ball or fultz depending on who’s left. Not sure what philly has to gain here .
If they turn the #1 overall pick into Ball, I’m going to shoot myself.
They probably see Fultz as a game changer and the Jackson 5 as useless. That’s the only way it makes any sense.
So that means that they’re all in on IT?
Hope so
Guess we’ll agree to disagree. :0)
I’m ok with it as long as he ends up being the 2nd option. Sign Hayward now and then I’m fine with maxing IT. Then they can stay over the cap in ’18 and resign Bradley as well next year. Bring in the overseas guys, try to grab Covington and or Holmes from this deal and you’ve got a great core with good surrounding bench players. If that’s not enough for you flip Smart, the nets pick next year, Rozier, a future first, Mickey, and 2 seconds for Jimmy Butler. Match additional salaries.
Look, I love IT. He’s got heart and plays hard. But I can’t see them winning anything with a 5’8″ (maybe) point guard. He’s just too much of a defensive liability. And you’re not going to give him MAX money to not be there in crunch time.
I agree with this. IT is not a centerpiece player.
If they are up to the cap anyways for a few years it’s not as important what the money amount is.
Not just the money. He’s just too small to be effective in a 7 game playoff situation. They’ll run isolations on him all night long.
Yeah but if they add Hayward and Butler that doesn’t matter. They’d be up to the cap then and it would make sense just to go with the team. He’d be a third option at that point and he’d be one of the best third options in the league. Outside of Klay, and depending on whether or not you like Kevin Love, who else is there? He’s a good player adding even one more scorer would take the pressure off in the postseason. Heck, skip over Hayward and sign Gallinari and trade for Butler for all I care. Saves $$ long term and you added two scorers.
That trade probably works. But only because to match salaries you have to include two more good players: Jaylen Brown and Jae Crowder.
Yeah I just didn’t feel like typing that out I knew it would be them.
We got Embiid sort of, we have Simmons, we have a 6th man in Saric. 2017, 2018, and 2019 draft are the ones that will really make this team a contender. Stand pat or move back 2017. Load up for 2018. Watch Sacramento implode in 2019.
If the Sixers can make this trade, they should shell out for Milsap.
Fultz, Simmons, RoCo, Milsap and Embiid is a nice looking starting lineup, with a potentially strong bench of Saric, Holmes, Anderson, McConnell and I guess Bayless. With Saric coming off the bench, Holmes can be the backup center and they can give away Okafor for a bag o’ beans. Maybe TLC learns to shoot corner 3s and develops a decent D-and-3 game.
Wait for 2019. 6 future HOFers 5 of them under 30 available as UFAs.
Who are the 6 future HOFers you are referring to?
LBJ, Westbrook, PG13, John Wall, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson.
Check out spotrac.
Kemba Walker gets named to 1 all star game and hasn’t even been to the conference semifinals yet, and he’s already an HOFer? The other 5 for sure.
ZaZa was almost voted in as an All Star. How does that qualify anything?
Walker has a shot at it, he’s only 26. If he gets out of Charlotte that is.
True about Zaza. That was sad. Yeah that said I still don’t think Walker will end up being that good, maybe not even a perennial all star. The other way to look at that is he’s already 26. He won’t get out until he’s 28 or 29. So basically he’d have to start averaging 25 PPG in Charlotte, sign one max contract somewhere, and make a ton of playoff runs where he can be the first option. I just don’t see that place existing.
Figured just wanted to make sure I was looking at the same list you were lol. Although to be honest, I don’t see Philly being a serious landing spot for most of those guys. Let’s leave Walker out of the conversation because he’s not close to HoF status (although not saying he couldn’t get there yet). LeBron isn’t going to Philly unless they magically become the best team in the East within the next two years. Westbrook and PG are either staying where they are, going to LA, or going to another established contender. PG can become a free agent at the end of the year, and wants to compete for a championship, so I doubt Philly becomes a realistic spot for him for the next two years. Same goes for Westbrook. Wall and Thompson are the wildcards though, so I’ll give you them. Who knows what Thompson decides to do…he might stay in GS for less than the max or he might go chase the money/bigger role elsewhere. A bigger role isn’t something that Philly can really offer (as he’s the alpha dog in Washington and would likely be the same in Philly) so it would really come down to money and championship potential. Philly definitely would have the money but again, they’re not locks to be a championship contender. Too many young pieces (and a key injured piece in Embiid) that have to figure it all out/get healthy before we can start saying Philly is a playoff contender.
The whole thing is contingent upon Embiid. If over the next 2 seasons shows that he is Hakeem with a 3pter, ‘build it and they will come’. I don’t think Simmons alone being good/great woo’s anyone. So if you have Embiid full potential, Simmons full potential I don’t think it’d be as foregone that the top guys say no. Main reason I don’t want to sell the farm for Fultz is b/c more chances to hit on a stud player the better in case no one comes. Like this could go from Process to Cleveland Browns really fast if Embiid and Simmons don’t pan out.
Ahh. I got a idea. Boston trades #1 pick
To the Lakers for Deng and mozgov that way the celtics get rim protector (mozgov)
And a 3 and D power forward (deng)
Cmon ainge make the call!
You wouldn’t happen to be a Lakers fan, would you? LOL!
That’s barely more ridiculous than some of the other trade suggestions here.
Where’s your boy with Tyson Chandler and Bledsoe for the #1 overall?
True love him.
But Boston also has to throw in Smart and Bradley. Tyson Chandler is just too good.
The trade has essentially been agreed upon, according to Zach Lowe. I was so excited about Fultz too.. Damn.
Palm to Face. Will watch the Celtics draft #1 and #2 overall next year. B/c you KNOW the Laker’s pick, once we don’t have it will be #1 or #2 overall.
Would rather trade down to 5 & 10. Take Tatum, Jackson or Isaac. Trade #10 to the Suns for Eric Bledsoe & unprotected swap rights for the next 2 or 3 years (until it converts).
Take Baby Bron for 2 years, b/c next year’s draft is loaded with wings – Porter, Doncic, Bridges and a couple Bigs. So if Embiid can’t play, you’re looking at Bamba and Ayton. Only really 2 PG prospects so that’s where having Baby Bron for 2 years helps.
If you want Bledsoe, you haven’t been watching him for the past couple of years like I have.
I don’t ‘want’ him necessarily, I want the Suns 2018 pick though, which is when it probably converts. The 10th overall this year doesn’t really do anything for me. They would probably grab Markkanen though. IF Bledsoe even plays much, it’s only a 2 year deal, doesn’t effect the 2019 FA class.
To quote a grumpy old man I know.
If bleeping up were a crime, you’d be doing Life.
Force the Celtics to take Jackson. If they really want Jackson, make them take him at 1. Danny Ainge rarely loses on trades. Coleangelo, not a good track record.
This Process will hit a roadblock if you have to start paying free agents these absurd contracts.
20M a year for what 4 years for JJ Reddick? Age 33 next year.
Gotta pay Embiid this off-season or next. You’ve got a couple years of being super cheap super young super talented. And enough cap space to sign a WHALE. Not a background piece like a past prime JJ Reddick, a WHALE. 2019 UFAs – LBJ, PG13, Westbrook, Thompson, Wall, Kemba Walker.
2018 is the draft to go all-in on. Michael Porter Jr. is the best prospect since Anthony Davis. Better than Simmons. And Bamba/Ayton might be even better prospects than him.
Fultz is a ‘nice’ player, but so is Jackson. I’d even be happy with Tatum at 3 if Jacks/Fultz are off the board.
Stephen A. Smith just made it sound like this trade could be for Jackson to the Sixers at 1.
Interesting I hadn’t thought about that. But that just screws Boston over Fultz is a no brainer for LAL. Everyone conspiring against Lavar lol.
Celts give up #1 for Sixers 2017 3 pick, 2018 Sixers’ Laker pick, 2019 Sixers’ Kings Pick…Celts, draft Johnson 2017, Brooklyn and Lakers pick 2018, 2019 Kings pick via Sixers’..lottery pick most likely…under these conditions, I’d trade..
Jackson***
Also, try to sign Hayward..cut Zeller..resign IT..move him to 2..
Hayward is not a PG.
Yes, Josh Jackson, Kansas…thank you!..my error
Z-A: I really like Porter…watched him play in SPFLD MA at Springfield College 2017 MLK weekend..would look good in Green! With my scenario, Sixers could be a problem in the future though..Fultz, Simmons, Embid, Okafor, Saric..young talented athletes..some health concerns
If Sixers give up all their future picks, it’ll be Boston fleecing Brooklyn 2.0
The difference between Fultz & Jackson isn’t big enough to give up anything more than the 3rd and a current player (Covington or Okafor) to be honest.
Trading the Lakers, and Kings, and the 3rd is something you’d do in a video game b/c the future doesn’t matter.
Not exactly. It would be a haul for Boston, but there is a much bigger gamble trading away a shot at a guy like Fultz than trading a declining Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. It wouldn’t exactly be Brooklyn 2.0.
If Fultz is a bust. You gave up – Jackson in 2017. Laker’s probably a lottery pick – Michael Porter Jr through Trevon Duval. King’s definitely a lottery pick – Marvin Bagley Jr, Greek Freak 2.0, Zion Williamson.
Even if he isn’t a bust, I’d still take those 3 possibilities over Fultz. Fultz needs to be a bon-a-fied HOFer for Coleangelo to keep his job after Boston takes those picks in 18 and 19. Might as well keep a box in the office. I know we’re going to give up all these picks, and he’s going to get injured somehow. That’s how it works. Get the #1 overall pick – injured. Get the next Hakeem – injured. Have Hakeem’s back-up to keep his seat warm – injured. Saric – foot problems. Bayless to bridge the gap for PG – injured. Needed to trade Noel so play him to build up value – injured. Probably need to fire the entire training staff. You can’t have this many injuries and keep your staff.
Trade okafor and pick 3 for Eric Bledsoe and Philly has a big deal !!!
There you are! lol I had a Bledsoe trade for you, it’s somewhere in these 100 comments.
trade down to 5 & 10. Take Tatum, Jackson or Isaac. Trade #10 to the Suns for Eric Bledsoe & unprotected swap rights for the next 2 or 3 years (until it converts).
– There you go
If you are going to continue to take younger players keep no. 10 and draft Collins from Gonzaga.
Gee shouldn’t philly throw in the Lakers pick and the SAC pick?? Bledsoe is such a stud!
IF this story is true…
link to hoopsrumors.com
Celtics may take Jackson at No. 1, then trading for the No. 1 pick does not make a lick of sense. There is no one and only ‘the guy’ in this draft.
Most ideal scenario.
1. Celtics take Jackson.
2. Lakers trade #2 for #5 and dump Mozgov’s contract. Kings take Fox.
3. Sixers take Fultz.
If the Bulls want the #3 pick for Butler, I’d do that trade. #3 and Okafor.
Butler is what you dream of a #3 turning into. Bulls would be better off keeping Butler.
IF this deal goes through what are Ainge’s next moves? This is a deep draft of really good players, but unlikely an immediate difference maker. I think Ainge will package this year’s no. 3, it highest no. 2, and one of next year’s no. 1’s with Jae Crowder and other pieces needed to balance payroll for a player like Butler, or possibly Cousins, which could help persuade Hayward to sign as a FA.
I love that trade for the Celtics. They really don’t need anymore guards unless u unload Smart or Rozier. Get Jackson if that’s who they want. I’m not sold on Fultz or Ball honestly. I think they best players will end up being Monk, Fox, Tatum and Jackson out of this draft. And Markkanen and Collins will play significant roles. Kennard will b a really solid role player and one no1 is really talking about who I think has a really good future is Frank Jackson at the combo guard off the bench who will probably go in the 2nd. Not to mention Josh Hart will b a 2nd rounder and should have a Brogdon like rookie year
As desperately as I hope the reports are true that we will be receiving the lakers pick in 18 and the kings pick in 19, I don’t think BC is dumb enough to move up 2 slots to get someone slightly better than what they can pick at #3. Not that fultz isn’t better but a top 3 pick in next years loaded draft is gold? He is signing off on giving the celtics porter and one of the highly skilled bigs in next years draft. The value of the picks is just way to high for fultz….I do agree with the Jackson pick. the game is won with versatility and the only way to beat lebron is having option after option off the bench. The celtics could be dangerous with the types of lineups they run out against teams. They could go all guards, all forwards, anything really. Jackson is a better prospect than jaylen and we saw what jaylen did in the playoffs. We could run it, jaylen, Jackson, crowder, and horford. The defense of those four would smother other teams and make up for its liabilities. Run Bradley in place of IT and we would smother teams with plenty of rotation players off the bench. You cannot teach 6’8 pure athletism and heart that Jackson shows on defense. He could also help with the rebounding issues. Him and jaylen should be plus rebounders once they get confident. This team could be scary with pieces they have in a few years. We have our guards, build our forwards, and next year build our front court. Our team could be 3-4 deep at every position. We will be turning away really good players just because we are so deep. We won’t have a superstar yet but everyone will be solid.
Deep teams with solid players are very nice. Right up to the 4th quarter of conference championship games against teams with Durant and Currie or Lebron and Irving
Now if those guys weren’t already on teams… I bet we would beat them with Gordon Hayward and Blake griffin….or maybe trade alllllllll these players for pg13 who apparently is the answer to lbj. Maybe giving away all these players who still cannot beat these guys is the answer