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5 reasons the Boston Celtics should keep the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) crosses the logo during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) crosses the logo during the third quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics
Jan 12, 2017; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) shoots from the free throw line during the first half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Markelle Fultz will be a star

Let’s start with the obvious: Markelle Fultz is going to be really f***ing good.

Even in the scenario where the Celtics trade the No. 1 pick for an established star, Fultz has the makings of a top-five guard in the NBA one day. You don’t turn your back on that kind of potential, even if the Brooklyn Nets’ pick in next year’s draft could be the No. 1 overall selection as well.

In his one season at Washington, the 19-year-old Fultz averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Though he only shot 64.9 percent from the foul line and played for an unsuccessful Huskies team (9-22), he also shot 50.2 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from downtown on 5.0 attempts per game.

At 6’4″ and with a massive 6’10” wingspan, Fultz has the ideal size for a point guard and can even spend time off the ball as a 2-guard. According to Draft Express, he had the highest Player Efficiency Rating of any 18-year-old over the last 16 years.

From his ability to create shots to his work out of the pick-and-roll, Fultz is the cream of the crop in a draft loaded with talented point guard prospects. Though he’s not a defensive ace by any means, Fultz’s floor is high and his ceiling is even higher.

If the Celtics were to trade the No. 1 overall pick, there’s a very good chance Markelle Fultz would make regret that decision in the not-so-distant future.

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