THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS selected point guard Markelle Fultz with the top pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, while Lonzo Ball went to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Having previously worked out a trade with the Boston Celtics that moved the 76ers from the number three pick up to number one, it was clear the franchise coveted Fultz’s size and athleticism to run their offense.
Fultz, who spent just one season at Washington, averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Ball was taken by the Lakers, while Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Josh Jackson (Phoenix Suns) and De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings) rounded out the top five.
Meanwhile, a blockbuster trade was also completed as Jimmy Butler joined the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Butler and pick 16 Justin Patton headed to Minnesota, while the Chicago Bulls received number seven pick Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine.
Top-five picks
1. Philadelphia 76ers – Markelle Fultz
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Lonzo Ball
3. Boston Celtics – Jayson Tatum
4. Phoenix Suns – Josh Jackson
5. Sacramento Kings – De’Aaron Fox
Rest of first round
6. Orlando Magic – Jonathan Isaac
7. Chicago Bulls – Lauri Markkanen
8. New York Knicks – Frank Ntilikina
9. Dallas Mavericks – Dennis Smith Jr.
10. Portland Trail Blazers – Zach Collins
11. Charlotte Hornets – Malik Monk
12. Detroit Pistons – Luke Kennard
13. Utah Jazz – Donovan Mitchell
14. Miami Heat – Bam Adebayo
15. Sacramento Kings – Justin Jackson
16. Minnesota Timberwolves – Justin Patton
17. Milwaukee Bucks – D.J. Wilson
18. Indiana Pacers – T.J. Leaf
19. Atlanta Hawks – John Collins
20. Sacramento Kings — Harry Giles
21. Oklahoma City Thunder – Terrance Ferguson
22. Brooklyn Nets – Jarrett Allen
23. Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby
24. Denver Nuggets – Tyler Lydon
25. Orlando Magic (proposed trade: rights to 76ers) – Anzejs Pasecniks
26. Portland Trail Blazers – Caleb Swanigan
27. Brooklyn Nets (proposed trade: rights to Lakers) – Kyle Kuzma
28. Los Angeles Lakers (proposed trade: rights to Jazz) – Tony Bradley
29. San Antonio Spurs – Derrick White
30. Utah Jazz (proposed trade: rights to Lakers) – Josh Hart
