Ultimate Upside Comparison: James Harden
Safe Upside Comparison: Richie Guerin
Position: Point Guard
Age: 19 (5/29/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 185 pounds, 6’9.75″
2016-17 Slash Line: .476/.413/.649
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.7 MPG, 23.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 2.1 3PM
The New York Knicks were forced to watch as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers swapped draft picks. Philadelphia received the No. 1 overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft, while Boston returned the No. 3 pick and a bevvy of future selections.
With pick No. 1 overall, the 76ers make the expected move and select Markelle Fultz of the Washington Huskies.
Fultz has garnered comparisons to the likes of James Harden and Dwyane Wade, which is reason enough to be considered at No. 1. He has elite quick-twitch athleticism, can get above the rim, and possesses elite size for a primary ball-handler.
With a strong outside shot, as well, Fultz has the offensive skill set of a legitimate superstar—and his workload won’t be nearly as heavy as others selected in this draft class.
In Philadelphia, Fultz will be able to play off-ball and benefit from the potential greatness of Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and Ben Simmons—maybe. Thus far, Embiid and Simmons have appeared in a combined 31 games in the NBA.
If both can reach 100 percent health, however, Fultz would round out the construction of the most promising young core in the NBA—bar none.
That unfortunately includes the New York Knicks.