2017 NBA Draft: Markelle Fultz thinks he and D'Angelo Russell could fit well together with the Lakers

Most analysts project Markelle Fultz to go first overall to the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft, but the one-and-done Washington guard came in to work out for the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday anyway.

Why? Fultz told reporters following the workout that it was a “family decision” made because “you never know what could happen in the draft.”

Fultz admitted he’d rather go No. 1 for “competitive reasons,” but if what happens in the draft is the unexpected and Fultz falls to the Lakers, he thinks it could be a great fit.

"I think my biggest strength is playmaking ability, on or off the ball,” Fultz said, noting that those versatile skills would fit well alongside the Lakers incumbent lottery guard, D’Angelo Russell.

“I think I fit well. He can play off (ball) at the 2, I can play off,” Fultz said.

Fultz averaged 23.2 points and 5.9 assists per game in his lone year at Washington as the lead distributor. While he would likely play a similar role with the Lakers, his shooting — Fultz made 41.3 percent of his five 3-point attempts per game — would allow him to run off screens or space the floor properly when Russell was being given the opportunity to attack or make plays.

Fultz wanted to show the Lakers more than just his shooting and playmaking skills, however:

The Lakers evidently liked what they saw:

Still, despite the Boston Celtics’ spotty drafting history, it seems highly unlikely they’ll pass on Fultz. It sounded like he’s ready for whatever happens:

And if the Lakers and Celtics end up with Fultz and Lonzo Ball, the two might be ready to reignite the rivalry once more:

Provided Fultz doesn’t drop to the Lakers though, much like the Celtics have to look back with pain about the infamous picture of Kobe Bryant working out for them, Lakers fans will always have the small memory of what Fultz looks like in purple and gold to (possibly) eat at them a bit:

Here is an updating list of every player the Lakers have worked out or met with. Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.