WHO will have the top pick in the upcoming 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Draft next week?
That question is still in everyone’s mind and the answer is still not certain up to this point after a surprising development over the weekend.
Kia, a team obviously struggling with success and personnel management, shockingly reached an agreement with San Miguel Beer to deal away its top pick last weekend.
The Picanto agreed to let go of its top first round pick in exchange for three seldom-used players from San Miguel in wingmen Keith Agovida, Rashawn McCarthy and veteran Jay-R Reyes.
While both sides have agreed to the deal and the papers were already passed to the league for approval, PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa is still yet to make his decision on whether or not to approve the pending transaction.
Having the worst record overall for this season, it is expected that the Picanto will have the first overall pick.
Should the mentioned deal be approved by the league, reports indicate that San Miguel is intent on getting top big man prospect Christian Standhardinger.
This isn’t the first time that Kia has traded its top pick.
It did the same thing in 2015 where it dealt away its top pick to TNT KaTropa.
Also, the Picanto has made questionable moves before. They dealt away then stars Nino Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos two years ago right after they led the team to its first stint in the playoffs.
The league is expected to make an announcement regarding this deal the soonest as the draft fast approaches.
As of this report, everyone’s attention reverted back to Game 5 of the 2017 Governors’ Cup finals where Barangay Ginebra and Meralco continue their war and break their 2-2 deadlock in their best-of-seven championship showdown.
