Saturday was Markelle Fultz Night for the 76ers.
Hours before Fultz's arrival at the team's practice site in Camden, N.J., Joel Embiid tweeted out a selfie of himself and Dario Saric standing in front of a locker with a Markelle Fultz name plate.
There was an overflow of reporters and photographers taking pictures as Fultz walked into the building at 7:08 p.m. wearing a black Sixers cap.
And the team's employees and guests watched intently as Fultz's workout _ that weeks ago seemed nothing more than wishful thinking _ took place.
The Washington point guard working out for the Sixers was an indication that the team is getting closer to acquiring the only perfect fit in Thursday night's NBA draft.
Before Friday, the consensus was that Fultz was bound for the Boston Celtics, who have the first overall pick. But sources confirmed Friday night that the Sixers, who currently have the third pick, were in advanced talks with the Celtics for a swap.
The holdup to an agreement was the Sixers getting Fultz in for a workout. The Sixers are expected to give up the No. 3 pick, the Los Angeles Lakers' 2018 first-rounder and possibly another future first-round pick. The Vertical is reporting that it could be a 2021 pick.
A league source said late Saturday night that the trade could be finalized as early as Monday. This came hours after word out of Boston held that the Celtics don't want to finalize the deal until the night of the draft.
The update could mean that Boston is close to getting assurances it will also get the player it covets _ Kansas' Josh Jackson _ with the third pick.
Another scenario is that Boston general manager Danny Ainge will live with whoever is available at No. 3 as long as he gets the other assets he desires.
Even though the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals, a source said Ainge realizes his team is several seasons away for contending for the title. That's why stockpiling future assets could trump drafting a certain player in this draft.
However, the Celtics, who like Jackson but don't want to draft him first overall, could draft Fultz at No. 1. Then, if Jackson is still available at three, the Sixers would select him, and the teams would make a trade afterward.
However, the source reiterated that the trade could be finalized on Monday.
That would make Fultz happy, according to a source. The Upper Marlboro, Md., native was the only draft prospect to wear Sixers gear as he entered the building during any of this month's predraft workouts.
Sources have also said that he was disappointed when the Sixers weren't awarded the first pick in last month's lottery.
The versatile Fultz made 41.3 percent of his shots from the college 3-point range. Finding a shooter with his 3-point ability was a priority for the Sixers. He can slide off the ball and be a solid addition next to Ben Simmons.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder averaged 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.2 blocks last season. He also shot 47.6 percent from the field. Fultz scored in double figures in 24 of 25 games played. He missed six of his last eight games with a sore knee.
Fultz entered Washington as the Huskies highest-rated recruit since former Sixers center Spencer Hawes in 2006.
