Markelle Fultz Finishes Two-Day Meeting With The Celtics

On Tuesday the No. 1 projected overall pick Markelle Fultz wrapped up his two-day meeting with the Boston Celtics. The Celtics own the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft after winning the draft lottery on May 16.

Throughout his entire college season at the University of Washington, Markelle Fultz has been ranked as the No. 1 pick by the media and fans. He is arguably the most skilled guard in a draft that is filled with many talented guys that play the same position. Like last year’s No. 1 pick Ben Simmons, Fultz did not have great talent to surround him in college to make the NCAA tournament. His team finished with a horrible 9-21 record. However, his skills are so next level that it did not affect his draft projection.

During the 2013 NBA season, the Boston Celtics traded two of their stars from the big three that helped them win a championship in 2008 in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets. At the time of the trade, the Nets were trying to bring winning to their new home of Brooklyn immediately. So, they pulled off the blockbuster trade and received future first-round picks that came at a perfect time for the franchise.

The last two seasons the Boston Celtics were able to make it to the NBA Playoffs behind a young core. That core has been led by the 5-foot-9 superstar guard Isaiah Thomas. Prior to arriving in Boston, Thomas was passed around by a few different teams because of his small size. While playing for the Phoenix Suns, Thomas began to showcase his skills on a high level. However, the Suns already had a team full of guards who were capable of putting up huge numbers as well, so they decided to trade him to the Celtics. Every since the Celtics have been living on cloud nine as the little guy has turned them into a championship-contending team.

This past season the Celtics held the best record in the Eastern Conference. They finished the season 53-29, two games ahead of Lebron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics would eventually come up short against the Cavs in the conference finals and were swept in four games.

Since then, the Celtics have been patiently anticipating the 2017 NBA Draft that will occur this month on June 22. Markelle Fultz and the Celtics have shown major interest in joining forces when that day arrives. On Monday, Fultz met with the Celtics for a two-day visit to get acquainted with one another. According to CSNNE, Fultz describes the meeting with the team a “good experience.”

He had nothing but high praise for the organization by also saying, “Just the way the program is; they expect the best. I just learned some stuff… working harder. I already work hard, but [the Celtics coaching staff]… pushing me to the next level and making me the best player I can be.”

Now the big question everyone wants to know is, what will the Celtics do with their all-star guard Isaiah Thomas? Thomas has certainly earned himself a big contract by turning the Celtics franchise considering how well he’s played over the last two seasons. This past season he averaged a career-high 28.9 points per game. Thomas played for the Washington Huskies when he was in college like Fultz, so the two are already well acquainted.

The former Huskie has had nothing but high praise for Fultz when asked about the possibility of the two playing in the same backcourt. According to CBS Sports, when Thomas was asked about his relationship with Fultz, he said, “he’s a good friend of mine.” He also says when asked if they could play for the same team, “if it happens we’ll figure out how to play together.” Come June 22, it shouldn’t take long for the world of basketball to find out if Fultz will be the No. 1 pick for the Boston Celtics as all signs are pointing in that direction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPijVRFAXM

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