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Boston Celtics NBA Draft Profile: Markelle Fultz

By Talar Kahwajian

Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The playoffs are around the corner, but the Brooklyn Nets just helped the Boston Celtics secure best odds at the number one overall pick.

Let’s say the Boston Celtics end up with the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft.  Who do would you take?  Lonzo Ball out of UCLA?  Jayson Tatum from Duke?  There are so many options for this year’s draft that it doesn’t truly matter.  But let’s talk about the favorite to go No.1.

Markelle Fultz.

I’ll admit, I don’t know much about the kid.  Didn’t get into the tournament so I wasn’t really able to watch much of him.  He’s a 6’4, 195 pound point guard out of Washington who averaged 23 points, six rebounds and six assists this season for the Huskies.

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Why would the Celtics draft a point guard?

Danny Ainge never drafts for need, always best available.  Honestly, that’s the best way to go about it.  For all we know, they could draft Fultz and ship him out to somewhere like Chicago, if a trade for Jimmy Butler works out.  The kid can shoot the three ball pretty well, he ended the season as a 41% shooter from behind the arc.

Also, Futlz’ shot 48% from the field this season.  It would be refreshing for the Celtics to draft a guard that has some real offensive upside, for a change.

I mean, we don’t know what’s going to happen with Isaiah Thomas‘ contract at the end of next season.  So if the Boston Celtics keep this pick and draft Fultz, it’s probably an insurance policy.  If Thomas leaves, you have a young kid you can develop and turn into a star.  Pair him with Jaylen Brown?  It’s a great place to start.

Ball and Fultz squared off against each other earlier this year, and they put on a shooting clinic.

Fultz has the prettier shot, and can hit over multiple defenders.  I could see him being successful in this league.  Half the battle is having the confidence to shoot those shots, and it seems Markelle Fultz has no problem letting it fly.

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If Boston gets the first pick, I expect Fultz to be wearing a green cap.

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