Potential No. 1 draft pick Markelle Fultz works out with 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers moved one step closer to landing the No. 1 pick in the June 22 draft from the Boston Celtics on Saturday, when they finalized plans to work out prospective top pick Markelle Fultz.

Fultz went through his workout Saturday evening at the Sixers' practice facility in Camden, N.J. and afterwards spoke with the media, telling reporters the session was "great."

"I came in here, got some shots up, which I love to do — every time I get a chance to step in the gym and put some work in, I love it," said Fultz, who arrived at the facility wearing a 76ers hat.

The Sixers and Celtics continue to be engaged in deep discussions about a deal that would likely send the Sixers' No. 3 pick and additional picks to the Celtics, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.

"I'm truly blessed to be in this position, really, and whatever happens, I'm looking forward to taking my talents to wherever I go," Fultz said.

Fultz added that his right knee — which he injured during his lone season at Washington, forcing him to miss six of the Huskies' final eight games — is fully recovered.

Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid wasted no time fueling speculation that Fultz would be joining their young core sometime soon, posting a picture of himself and 23-year-old forward Dario Saric at a locker with the placard 'Markelle Fultz' on Twitter hours before the workout. Fultz, the guard who had been widely seen as a future Celtic for so many weeks now, would join Embiid (No. 1 in 2014), 2016 No. 1 pick Ben Simmons, and 2015 No. 3 pick Jahlil Okafor as Sixers top picks from recent years. 

"When I saw that, it was pretty cool, pretty funny," Fultz said. "I'm pretty happy that the players here want me to come here."

Embiid, Simmons and Robert Covington were among the Sixers in attendance.

Surprising though it may be that the Celtics appear willing to give up the No. 1 pick, there's a financial subplot that is known to be coming into play. The salary difference between the No. 3 and No. 1 picks would free up precious salary cap space and make it easier for Boston to give a near-maximum-salary contract to the free agent of their choosing in July, when they are expected to pursue the likes of small forward Gordon Hayward and forward Blake Griffin. 

It would also allow the Celtics to select a quality prospect at No. 3 – Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox or Dennis Smith, who the Celtics are trying to bring in for a workout before the draft, according to ESPN.

Contributing: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt

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