After swapping picks with the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ move up to one essentially guaranteed that Markelle Fultz would be trusting the process come next season. The Washington product has been the prohibitive favorite at the top of most draft boards throughout the season, while his offensive polish gives the Sixers a backcourt punch they’ve desperately needed in years past.
This was, in many ways, Bryan Colangelo’s first real sign of assertiveness as general manager. While the optics of this trade will be argued extensively for the foreseeable future, the purpose behind it is promising.