NBA draft draws second-largest audience on ESPN

The Washington star made the error Thursday night after getting picked by the Philadelphia 76ers.

They didn’t empty the store to get him, keeping either the Lakers’ 2018 pick or the Kings’ 2019 pick in the deal – an outright steal given where both those franchise projects are in the immediate moment.

And then they drafted Villanova’s Josh Hart at No. 30. The Kings are still far from competing in the ultra-intense Western Conference, but the light at the end of the tunnel may finally be nearing.

First-pick Fultz bolstered the 76ers young core as a 19-year-old playmaker.

In Celtics news, Boston wasn’t able to land Butler when they certainly had the ammo to do so. “Just want to get on the court”.

Neither side anticipated the deal would become so lopsided in favor of the Celtics but the Nets posted the league’s worst record last season, setting in motion the chain of events leading Fultz to become a 76er.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half at the United Center. “@Tissot.us is helping me get started with my Sixers watch #ThisIsMyTime #NBADraft”, his new and improved Instagram caption reads.

The extra player from tonight’s draft is expected to complete its package to acquire Paul George of Indiana Pacers in exchange for the number 27 and 28 picks.

Fultz, 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds in his lone season at Washington.

Butler, one of the league’s most dynamic two-way players, joined forces again with Thibodeau, who coached the Bulls for five seasons before being fired in 2015. The Wolves also wound up with Justin Patton at No. 16, giving them a 7-footer with a plus-20 PER last season at Creighton Bluejays. Free agency, after all, is only a few years away. Obviously, neither could outright replace Paul should he leave for greener pastures in July, but Evans was a projected first rounder and Thornwell’s gritty, heroic performances fueled the seventh-seeded University of SC to the Final Four back in March.

It’s hard to imagine what the Blazers were thinking, considering they failed to accomplish what should have been their two clear goals: shedding salary and adding wings. The amusing part is that some commenters on the post didn’t even care. I’m looking forward to going into this organization and just giving it my all.

Fultz signed with the sports apparel behemoth before the draft. Mitchell can work off-ball and be brought along slowly behind Rodney Hood.

Whether this means the team will be in the hunt for a playoff spot remains to be seen.

Still, the Pacers must trade George, and more time passed by without that happening. Still, going to the Lakers was the Ball family’s best possible outcome. What’s not to like about the Lakers’ newest additions?

The Knicks even entertaining the idea of trading franchise cornerstone Kristaps Porzingis was incredibly foolish.