During the 2017 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum as the third pick, following Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball, chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers and the LA Lakers respectively. Considering the progress of these three players, Tatum seems to have deserved the position of being chosen first.
Initially, the first pick in the 2017 draft actually belonged to the Boston Celtics, but was acquired by the 76ers through a trade. The 76ers had just put together a young team of players including Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, Dario Saric, and Ben Simmons. They were in need of a point guard, and Fultz was considered the right fit for their team.
On the other hand, the Celtics were already well-equipped with a point guard in the form of Isaiah Thomas, who was delivering superstar-caliber numbers. Consequently, it was a logical decision for them to trade down, as the first and second picks were both projected to be point guards.
The performance of Tatum, Fultz, and Ball since their draft positions demonstrates Tatum’s worthiness of the first pick. He has consistently shown promise and skill throughout his career, outperforming his counterparts. The Celtics must be satisfied with their choice, reaping the benefits of Tatum’s upward trajectory in the NBA.
