The great majority of projections for the 2017 NBA Draft involve the Boston Celtics selecting Markelle Fultz at No. 1 overall and the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 2 overall. While something could change at the top, the consensus makes a ton of sense and that scenario would create a pivot point beginning at No. 3 overall with the Philadelphia 76ers.
We’ve heard that the Sixers have been considering numerous options with the third pick, including potentially trading the pick — there’s been rumors of a potential trade between the Kings and Sixers to swap No. 3 for Nos. 5 and 10.
While there are several prospects that could, at least theoretically, make sense for the Sixers, Jeff Goodman of ESPN believes that Philly has narrowed things to two players on the wing. Goodman, in speaking with Boston radio station WEEI, centered on the Sixers choosing between Kansas swingman Josh Jackson and Duke forward Jayson Tatum. (h/t Liberty Ballers)
“Nothing in a workout or what I hear from a workout is really going to change [anything]. From what I was told, Fultz didn’t shoot the ball exceptionally well in his workout in Boston, but they know he can shoot the ball. It’s one workout, it’s a one-on-zero deal. I was there after that workout, and then I came out to LA for Lonzo Ball’s workout here, and then I sat with LaVar and Lonzo yesterday for a while in Chino Hills.
So I still think it’s going to be Fultz at one, Lonzo Ball at two, I think Magic [Johnson] is enamored by Lonzo Ball. and then I think three is a little bit of a tricky choice for Bryan Colangelo and the Sixers, do they go with Josh Jackson, do they go with Jayson Tatum? It’ll be one of those two, I have a feeling.”
Both Jackson and Tatum are considered, at least by many, as worthy competitors for this lofty draft perch. With that said, neither is a flawless fit based on concerns with the Philadelphia roster. Jackson’s jump shot has been a point of contention and, with Tatum, there are also floor-spacing concerns and the notion that he would need the ball to be effective as a volume scorer.
Players like Kentucky’s duo of De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk and Florida State’s Jonathan Isaac could be in play but, according to this report, Philadelphia’s choice is a more narrow one. Which wing will they choose? The Sixers have 10 days to sort through that decision.
