NBA draft arrives after days of deals

Former Washington point guard Markelle Fultz is expected to hear his named called as the No. 1 overall pick by Philadelphia when the NBA draft takes place today in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Former Washington point guard Markelle Fultz is expected to hear his named called as the No. 1 overall pick by Philadelphia when the NBA draft takes place today in Brooklyn, N.Y.

NEW YORK -- Markelle Fultz is ready for the NBA draft. He's already learned about life at the trade deadline.

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AP file photo

UCLA guard Lonzo Ball (2) may get his wish to play with the Los Angeles Lakers if he’s taken with the No. 2 overall pick in tonight’s NBA draft, which seems more likely after the Lakers traded DAngelo Russell on Tuesday.

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AP file photo

Creighton’s Justin Patton (23) is one of several one-and-done post players hoping to hear his name called today at the NBA draft in Brooklyn, N.Y., joining the likes of Duke’s Harry Giles, Gonzaga’s Zach Collins, John Collins of Wake Forest and Jarrett Allen of Texas.

During a dizzying few days of deals around the NBA, the presumed No. 1 pick had his Saturday plans -- not to mention his future destination -- change when the Philadelphia 76ers brought him in for a workout. They then completed a trade with the Boston Celtics and are expected to take the Washington guard to begin the action tonight.

If the past few days are any indication, what follows might be a wild night inside Barclays Center.

"It's been a little crazy the last couple days," Duke forward Jayson Tatum said Wednesday.

Teams seem to have one eye on the draft and new players such as Fultz and Lonzo Ball, while the other is firmly focused on jockeying for proven veterans. Former and future No. 1 picks already have been dealt this week.

"It just shows you what the NBA is about. I mean, you can get traded in the blink of an eye, without knowing," Fultz said. "It just shows you how this business is and like I said, I just go with the flow. I've got an opportunity to play basketball and that's all I ask for."

Although Fultz heads what's widely regarded as a strong draft class, the prospects have had to share the spotlight this week with veterans who are -- or could be -- on the move. All-Stars and Olympic champions such as Paul George and Jimmy Butler are front and center in trade talk that usually isn't this heavy until February. Dwight Howard was dealt and D'Angelo Russell -- who just two years ago was on the same stage the players will walk tonight as the No. 2 pick -- was dealt by the Los Angeles Lakers, presumably to clear the point guard spot for Ball and salary cap space for the future.

"I've been seeing a lot of crazy things. They've been coming through my phone with the ESPN app," Kentucky guard Malik Monk (Bentonville, Lepanto) said. "I knew right before the draft something crazy was going to happen. It happens almost every year, so I wasn't shocked about it."

Things are expected to settle down a bit for at least the first two picks. The 76ers, selecting first for the second consecutive year, should take Fultz before Magic Johnson takes Ball with the Lakers again in the No. 2 spot.

"It would mean a lot to play for my hometown and learn from the best point guard ever," Ball said.

From there it could be Tatum, Josh Jackson of Kansas, Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox or some other player in the mix at No. 3, where the Celtics will now pick after the deal with the 76ers. Celtics President Danny Ainge said after making the trade he thought he could get the player he wanted two spots lower.

"It's a very loaded class, and I feel like especially whichever guys go at the top four, five, there may not be that much separation between [them] because everybody's just so talented," Tatum said.

Many of them, as usual lately, are freshmen. A record 14 were taken in the first round of last year's draft and that number should be threatened tonight. The Sacramento Kings have two top-10 picks, while NBA champion Golden State and runner-up Cleveland have none in the first round.

Teams chasing those two squads may make up ground quickest with a veteran player they can only get through free agency or a trade, so that may have to wait until July.

But they should be able to find someone good through the draft.

"This, I think, has a chance to be a historic draft," Minnesota Timberwolves General Manager Scott Layden said. "You look at the top end of the draft and I think there's a chance that there's going to be a lot of very good players, but it also runs deep into the late first round. I think that's why there will be a lot of activity at this draft, because I think teams see potential to get a great player."

NBA Draft at a glance

WHEN 6 p.m. today

WHERE Barclays Center, Brooklyn

TV ESPN

FORMAT Two rounds (30 picks per round), with Philadelphia obtaining the No. 1 overall pick after trading with Boston, which will pick third. Charlotte will pick first in the second round.

At a glance

NBA Draft Order

FIRST ROUND

  1. Philadelphia*

  2. LA Lakers

  3. Boston*

  4. Phoenix

  5. Sacramento*

  6. Orlando

  7. Minnesota

  8. New York

  9. Dallas

  10. Sacramento*

  11. Charlotte

  12. Detroit

  13. Denver

  14. Miami

  15. Portland

  16. Chicago

  17. Milwaukee

  18. Indiana

  19. Atlanta

  20. Portland*

  21. Oklahoma City

  22. Brooklyn*

  23. Toronto*

  24. Utah

  25. Orlando*

  26. Portland*

  27. LA Lakers*

  28. LA Lakers*

  29. San Antonio

  30. Utah*

SECOND ROUND

31.Atlanta*

32.Phoenix

33.Orlando*

34.Sacramento*

35.Orlando

36.Philadelphia*

37.Boston*

38.Chicago*

39.Philadelphia*

40.New Orleans

41.Charlotte

42.Utah*

43.Houston*

44.New York*

45.Houston*

46.Philadelphia*

47.Indiana

48.Milwaukee

49.Denver*

50.Philadelphia*

51.Denver*

52.Washington

53.Boston*

54.Phoenix*

55.Utah

56.Boston*

57.Brooklyn*

58.New York*

59.San Antonio

60.Atlanta*

*Draft pick acquired by trade

Sports on 06/22/2017

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