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2017 NBA Draft Rumors: Why The Sixers should go get Markelle Fultz

By Michael Saenz

Feb 24, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A young fan expresses displeasure with Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo after the trade of Nerlens Noel before the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A young fan expresses displeasure with Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo after the trade of Nerlens Noel before the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Draft Rumors: Looking at why the Philadelphia 76ers should do whatever it takes to trade for the No. 1 overall pick and draft Markelle Fultz

Bryan Colangelo might not be Sam Hinkie. In fact, he’s probably far from the man that coined the phrase “The Process” in Philadelphia. However, one move from Colangelo ahead of the 2017 NBA Draft could poetically legitimize the work that Hinkie started.

Losing “on purpose” in order to get the best possible draft pick for three years, along with trading almost every veteran asset on the roster for future picks, was Hinkie’s way of rebuilding. And, even though there were some rough patches, it seemed to work.

In the last three seasons, the Sixers secured three top 3 picks which culminated in the team winning the NBA Draft Lottery (and the No. 1 overall pick) last season.

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However, despite their good fortunes in the last three NBA Drafts (Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor and Ben Simmons), the Sixers still haven’t found that prospect above prospects. The one that is a slam dunk can’t-miss future NBA star.

Until now.

In one of the deepest drafts since the 2003 class, there’s one prospect that is the unanimous No. 1 pick. Markelle Fultz. He’s regarded as a can’t-miss explosive guard with superstar potential. He’s the guy that Sam Hinkie would be targeting, if he were still a part of the Sixers organization.

And with rumblings that the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have been discussing a potential trade centered around that No. 1 overall pick, this could be the endgame for The Process.

With a core of Fultz, Simmons and Embiid, the Sixers wouldn’t be rebuilding the foundation anymore. They’d be building up from now on.

Question is, should the Sixers throw all their eggs in the Fultz basket? And it’s a legitimate question, too.

If Markelle Fultz is the prospect that many believe him to be, in five years the narrative will be how the Philadelphia 76ers succeeded via The Process. Hinkie’s legacy would live forever in Philadelphia.

If Fultz is the next big thing in the NBA, no one will remember the multiple picks it took to move up. No, they’ll remember that the Sixers actually did it.

Must Read: 2017 NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Malik Monk, OG Anunoby Fall

See, a key part of Hinkie’s Process was pulling the trigger. At a certain point, the reason for hoarding all potential draft picks is to eventually get a star. Markelle Fultz is that star, and the Sixers should do everything they can do to get him.

The Process worked. With or without Sam Hinkie.

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