"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", Philadelphia president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said. "It's a deep (draft) class, but we felt the move from three to one was worth the cost of a first-round pick in the future".
Ainge noted that Philadelphia's trade offer was the best Boston received for the No. 1 pick and "by a significant margin".
"We're taking the next step in formulating a solid young core of players that will ultimately lead to a successful and sustainable product", Colangelo said.
Boston, meanwhile, could potentially own the draft rights to seven first-round selections over the next three seasons. But what, now that the Celtics have picked up what could be the 12th pick in the 2019 draft in order to move down two spots, they should suddenly be OK with moving their top pick for Butler?
Which pick the Celtics will receive in 2018 or 2019 is a bit complicated. "And we're getting an additional player that we want in next year's draft or the year after".
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The 76ers acquired the top overall pick from Boston in exchange for their No. 3 selection and a future first-round pick, according to statements released by both teams. There would be one exception to that: if either pick is No. 1 overall, the Celtics will get the other one. They're getting the player they want. After finishing with the No. 1 seed in the East this season, they are trying to package some of their picks for an established star that could help them close the gap on National Basketball Association finalists Cleveland and Golden State. The news was announced this past weekend when Markelle Fultz delayed his plans to travel to Boston to meet with the Celtics and instead had to detour his plans to Philly. "We came to a conclusion it was the right situation and the right point in the deal progression to make a deal, and we did".
From the Pacers' standpoint, a trade with Boston also makes sense, considering the entire league is aware George is now a rental for the season, which diminishes his value and makes him a logical addition to teams trying to win now and not in the future. Fultz would join a Philadelphia roster that includes Simmons, Jahlil Okafor and 2017 Rookie of the Year finalists Joel Embiid and Dario Saric.
With Thomas, the Celtics didn't necessarily need a point guard - which is the piece Philadelphia apparently wanted most.
The 6-foot-4 Fultz, who has a wingspan of 6-9¾, averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds and shot 41.3 percent from 3-point land during his only collegiate season.
All indications are the 76ers will select Fultz, who grew up in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and played his freshman season at the University of Washington.
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