PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

SIXERS'

The NBA draft is Thursday night and the rumors are swirling, the hottest being the Sixers and Celtics talking trade. Philly would get Boston's no. 1 overall pick for the 76'ers no. 3 selection, plus more. The Sixers would then take Washington point guard Markelle Fultz.

Reports are the Sixers would deal away no. 3, maybe Sarac and Okafor, and more future draft picks, including the Lakers  firs round pick next year and possibly Sacremento's 2019 first rounder.

The Chicago Bulls would also be involved somehow, with shooting guard Jimmy Butler going to the Celts.

I'm OK with the swap, but would be leery to trade away the Kinds' pick in 2019. Sacremento is bad and should still be bad in two years. That Kinds pick could ( or should) be at or near the top of the draft. Next year's Los Angeles selection could be a top 5 pick, but the Lakers should be better.If the Sixers need to give Boston or Chicago future draft choices, give away their own,, If Embiid stays healthy and Simmons develops,Philadelphia's own first round pick shouldn't be as high as the Lakers' pick.

If the Sixers end up staying at no. 3 the fit is shooting guard Malik Monk, but I think Philly would play it safe by taking forward Josh Jackson.

Another possibility is Philly trading down with the Kinds. Sacremento wants to move up to no. 3, so they would give the Sixers their no. 5 and no. 10 draft choices.

I don't like this deal as much. Sure, the Sixers would still get a good player at no.5.But why move down and get a lesser player only to secure the no. 10 guy who may end up only being a bench player anyway> Plus that;s another guaranteed contract the Sixers would need to hold.

No deal will happen until later in the week, possibly on draft night.Until then, the conversation and "what ifs" will heat up

With the Phillies in a death watch and the Eagles still too far away to be serious about, the Sixers should be the big story this week.