Markelle Fultz, expected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, will work out for the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, further ramping up speculation of a trade for the top overall selection.
The Boston Celtics, who will draft No. 1, are reportedly in serious discussions with the 76ers about a trade for Fultz, the star point guard out of the University of Washington. Philadelphia holds the third pick in the draft.
Markelle Fultz working out for Sixers right now in Camden @MarkelleF is consensus #1 pick in the #NBA Draft#sixers #madeinPHILA pic.twitter.com/LyylQ25veR
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) June 18, 2017
The Sixers confirmed that Fultz will work out for them Saturday in Camden, N.J.
Related
The Vertical and ESPN both reported that Philadelphia is attempting to trade its No. 3 pick and other considerations to snag Fultz, who averaged 23.2 points and 5.9 assists at Washington. The 76ers own two first-round picks in the 2018 draft, including an unprotected selection they would receive from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Boston is set at point guard with Isaiah Thomas and has been linked to Kansas forward Josh Jackson if it decides to trade down. Philadelphia already brought in another point guard, Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox, for a workout on Saturday.
If the 76ers could pull off the deal, they could put Fultz in the backcourt with last year's No. 1 overall pick, Ben Simmons, who has yet to play an NBA game but could play the shooting guard spot.
Philadelphia could have a core group of Fultz, Simmons, and Joel Embiid, which could be a prominent trio for years.
ESPN's Chad Ford reported Thursday that the Celtics were considering taking Jackson with the first pick. The Lakers have been linked to UCLA guard Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 selection.
This year's draft will be held Thursday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
