One day after reports hit that the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers were discussing a blockbuster trade for the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, the Sixers were set to host a blockbuster set of workouts.
On Saturday, the Sixers hosted Kentucky point guard De’Aaron Fox in the morning, and were set to host Washington guard Markelle Fultz later in the day. The 6-foot-4 Fultz, the projected No. 1 pick, was previously set to work out for Boston on Saturday.
Boston owns the No. 1 pick in the draft, but is reportedly ready to deal it for the Sixers’ No. 3 pick plus their 2018 first-round pick via the Lakers.
De’Aaron Fox putting in some work here for the #Sixers #BBN pic.twitter.com/I8EN5fF2eM
— Dennis Chambers (@DennisChambers_) June 17, 2017
The Sixers also had Kentucky shooting guard Malik Monk in on Thursday and Kentucky big man Isaac Humphries on Friday.
“I know Malik was here yesterday and De’Aaron is tomorrow,” Humphries said. “I think that they are incredible players, and they’re really good people. De’Aaron is so quick, he’s so agile, he controls the floor so well, he can jump, he’s athletic, he’s a great leader. I just loved playing with him just because of how he he can move the ball and just creating for his team.
“Malik is obviously such an impressive player by the way he shoots and controls games and takes it all in his own hands. He’s one of those players that just takes over and he’s a real asset to any team. Tomorrow will be good for Fox to be able to come in and workout with you guys. I know Malik would’ve loved yesterday as well.”
Humphries said he saw both players develop just in one season at Kentucky.
“Something that is kind of crazy to see, at Kentucky especially being on the inside, is seeing the pure development of the young guys coming in,” he said. “They come in AAU’s top players and they leave seasoned pros. It’s really cool to see the transition and how Cal [Coach John Calipari] develops and breaks them down and gets rid of their bad habits and focuses on some of their little habits to perfect. Both of them had such growth. Obviously, Fox started to dominate towards the end in the NCAA Tournament and Malik killed it during the year. Just from the inside every day in practice watching them develop and not change their game, but enhance and add to it and tighten everything up is really cool to watch for two years anyway. I saw Jamal [Murray] the year before. Just the other players that come through Kentucky, it’s really cool to see.”
He expects both to do well in the NBA.
“Like every Kentucky player, they’re going to be special,” Humphries said. “Those two especially are in that caliber of Kyle [Wiltjer] and Jamal [Murray] and that type of player that can come in and make a direct impact in the NBA. I’m really excited to watch them grow. We’re all very happy for everyone at Kentucky as well. It’s really cool to see everyone kind of succeed.”
