76ers Officially Trade for No. 1 Pick in 2017 NBA Draft from Celtics

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft from the Boston Celtics on Monday in exchange for the No. 3 selection in this year's draft and either the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick in 2018 or the Sacramento Kings' or 76ers' first-round pick in 2019.

The Celtics confirmed the blockbuster trade is officially complete. The Sixers are expected to take University of Washington point guard Markelle Fultz with the top pick when the draft gets underway Thursday night at the Barclays Center in New York City.

Boston noted it will have the Lakers' pick if it falls between picks two and five, otherwise the Celtics will claim the better of the 76ers and Kings' 2019 first-round selections.

It's a deal that makes sense for both teams.

The Celtics already feature a backcourt of Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart. Keeping the first overall selection to add either Fultz or UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball would have created a logjam, likely forcing the front office to make further offseason moves.

Trading down to the third pick puts the team in range to land one of the class' top small forwards: Kansas' Josh Jackson or Duke's Jayson Tatum. That's a much better fit on paper based on the team's current roster, and it also adds future assets in the process.

Meanwhile, Boston could also use its growing bevy of draft picks to make another high-profile deal.

Adam Zagoria‏ of ZagsBlog noted general manager Danny Ainge could attempt to engage the Chicago Bulls in trade talks for superstar small forward Jimmy Butler after stockpiling first-round selections.

The Celtics were previously linked to Butler, as well as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, leading up to last season's trade deadline. They weren't able to acquire either player, and the lack of star power showed during their playoff exit against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

On the flip side, the Sixers' extended rebuilding process produced plenty of frontcourt talent. Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, Jahlil Okafor and Richaun Holmes all possess the potential to become high-impact players up front.

So a playmaking guard like Fultz is the perfect addition as Philly attempts to finally turn the corner and start contending for the playoffs again.

The 19-year-old Maryland native averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks during his only collegiate season with the Huskies. He's prepared to step right in and play extensive minutes for the 76ers right away.

Embiid posted a picture on Instagram featuring what's expected to become Philadelphia's core:

ESPN Stats and Info noted it's just the fourth time since 1980 a team knowingly traded the first overall pick in the NBA draft. The Celtics made the same decision 27 years ago. They slid down to No. 3 to select Kevin McHale, and the Golden State Warriors moved up to take Joe Barry Carroll.

Boston will hope for similar success from this trade, while Philadelphia puts its faith in the deal to change the mindset from trusting the process to competing for a playoff berth.