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| Joe Nicholson/USA Today (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--In a huge development, Philadelphia and Boston agreed to exchange positions in Friday's (Philippine Time) NBA Draft.
The 76ers now own the first pick, while the Celtics took the third pick while also getting either a 2018 or 2019 first rounder.
The Celtics could end up with the 2018 pick the Sixers got from the Los Angeles Lakers if the said pick ends up as the second, third, fourth, or fifth pick overall.
If the Sixers' pick they got from the Lakers through a 2015 trade ends up as the first overall pick or falls out of the Top 5, the Sixers will retain the pick and will instead give the Celtics the higher of either their own pick or the one they acquired from the Sacramento Kings provided both picks will not end up number one overall.
If Philadelphia gets the first pick of the 2019 draft, it will keep that pick and send its other pick to Boston.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of this trade, which puts us in the enviable position of selecting first overall in consecutive draft years,” said Bryan Colangelo, the Sixers' president for basketball operations, in a statement on Tuesday.
Philadelphia, which is in dire need of a point guard, are likely to select Markelle Fultz first overall in the draft, the team's fourth overall top pick and second in straight years.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Philadelphia, which is in dire need of a point guard, are likely to select Markelle Fultz first overall in the draft, the team's fourth overall top pick and second in straight years.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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