Section 215
Fansided

Sixers select Markelle Fultz with the top pick in the 2017 NBA Draft

By George Kondoleon

Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots from the free throw line during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots from the free throw line during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

No surprise here. The Sixers take the best player in the draft for the second draft in a row.

Markelle Fultz is now the last piece to the Sixers core. A month ago, this seemed like a dream. When Philadelphia received the third pick in the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery, there was still joy that beamed around the fanbase.

Rightfully so, as although Fultz was the perfect complement and out of reach, the way the draft fell gave the Sixers forward Josh Jackson. Jackson has high star potential, but made for less than an exceptional fit.

Markelle Fultz seemed too good to be true for the Sixers. His ability as a secondary ball-handler and a deadly scoring option, as well as a serviceable defender would make for a perfect fit next to Ben Simmons. “If there were only away Philadelphia could take the number one pick away from Boston”, that was the thinking.

More from Philadelphia 76ers

Then, the trade occurred. The Sixers traded the third pick, and the 2018 Lakers pick with 2-5 protections. If the pick doesn’t convey, the Celtics receive the top-1 protected 2019 Sacramento pick. This was the package that nabbed the top pick in the draft.

It’s the trade that allowed Markelle Fultz to walk across the podium as a Sixer. It’s the trade that has the potential to absolutely change the direction of this franchise. Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Fultz now stand alone as the most promising young core in the NBA, and it isn’t really close.

Next: Fultz and Ball top the draft

This is all an end result of seasons of gruesome basketball and asset accumulation. Today, the Sixers can sit back and appreciate where the roster is heading. The draft is yet to be completed however, and Bryan Colangelo can add the finishing touches to a young bench with his four second-round picks. The newest era of Sixers basketball is here.