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It’s as close to official as it gets without actually being official. According to NBATV’s David Aldridge, the Sixers and Celtics have agreed to a deal that will land the Sixers the No. 1 overall pick, and the opportunity to select Washington guard Markelle Fultz.
Here’s the word from DA:
Trade between Philly and Boston will be finalized on Monday, per source. Sides have agreed. Sixers will get first pick and take Fultz.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 18, 2017
We also have Woj swooping in with the killing blow.
Sixers needed Fultz workout/meeting to complete deal w/ Celtics and, as expected, sides have deal for No. 1 pick. Trade call planned Monday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 18, 2017
Fultz wouldn't have gone into workout with No. 3 without assurance trade was agreed upon. Sides have been locked into deal for 24 hours. https://t.co/IiWBLU8A6z
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 18, 2017
And oh by the way? Those assets that have been stacked over the last few years? They made the difference, and they’ll be headed Boston’s way with protections attached.
Lakers had interest in pursuing a deal for No. 1 pick/Fultz, but Sixers ability to potentially deliver 3 FRP's in deal too much to overcome. https://t.co/9aBUwqVMiq
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 18, 2017
Sources: For top pick, Sixers planning to send Celtics '17 No. 3 overall pick, '18 FRP (via LA) and '19 FRP (via Kings) - w/ protections.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 18, 2017
You can just about lock it in, people. Markelle Fultz—the guy we’ve been talking about as the clear-cut best prospect, the guy who most people thought had no chance of finding his way to Philadelphia—is in fact going to end up as the third, and perhaps final major piece in the Sixers’ young core.
These are the moments fans have been dreaming of since the rebuild process was started, during a time period that feels like decades ago now. Everything is starting to come together, and yes, the franchise may in fact be landing the plane.
We will have much, much more on this as more details become available. Get ready to order some Fultz jerseys.
VERY IMPORTANT UPDATE: IT KEEPS GETTING BETTER
Clarification on deal: Besides its 2017 FRP, Philly sends '18 Lakers pick w/ protections. If it doesn't convey, 76ers send 2019 Kings pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 18, 2017
The 2018 Lakers pick to BOS has protections on top and bottom that could keep it in Philly, and if so, then 2019 Kings' pick goes to Boston. https://t.co/l38PneUMdh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 18, 2017
And Bodner comes in with clarification on the protections:
Celtics will get Lakers pick if it falls between 2 and 5 in the 2018 draft, per league source. If not, the Celtics will get the Kings in '19
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) June 18, 2017