What Happened to Markelle Fultz?
Admittedly, I’m a fan of Markelle Fultz. Ever since watching him play his Freshman year at the University of Washington, I have backed Fultz and believed that he was a star in the making. He had a real smooth game and his basketball IQ was off the charts. Somewhere between that point and now things have gotten a little rough, to say the least, for Markelle. He was drafted with the first pick in the 2017 NBA draft. So even if you hadn’t seen him play much, getting to be the top pick says something. I’d say it’s a gift and a curse because so many expectations come with that first overall pick label. Markelle sat out his first year in the league. He was nursing a shoulder injury that nobody really knew about. It kind of just popped up and everyone just gave him the benefit of the doubt. The 76ers wanted to put the right pieces together but weren’t in any urgent need for a savior to rescue the franchise. Markelle didn’t have to come in and be the star. Philly already has Embiid and Simmons, and even the newly acquired Jimmy Butler, to fill that void. All Markelle had to come in and knock down shots when his number was called.
Markelle Fultz has allegedly asked for a change in scenery and would like to play for a different team. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
This year everyone expected Fultz to be ready to go and actually show some signs of why he was drafted with the top pick of the 2017 NBA draft. Meanwhile, players who were part of the same draft class such as Jayson Tatum and Kyle Kuzma already have established themselves with their respective franchises. Fultz played a few games then sat out and this cycle repeated a few times before skeptics started throwing around the notion that Fultz may be digging himself a hole that he can’t get out of. I’ve even heard the word “Bust” thrown out there. Mainstream media is killing Fultz and I’m sure he himself is going through a rough time getting adjusted. His jump shot seemed to be in question and every time I saw him shoot he’d shoot with a noticeable hitch in his shot. Video would later surface showing the hitch was gone and he was comfortable shooting again. He’d get the chance to prove his worth but never truly shows the promise that everybody was initially drooling over. Few points here, few Assist there, wasn’t enough for 76er management to stay the course with Fultz. After all, the 76er roster has a chance to do something very special in the eastern conference and there’s no time to wait and develop any players. They expected a lot more from Fultz than what he gave.
Fultz showed flashes of why he was drafted with the top pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He never established his role on the team and was inconsistent in his play so far in his career. (Photo by Complex.com)
The Sixers and Fultz are engaged in one of the most public soap operas in professional sports. After experimenting with a few different releases on his jump shot and the world mocking his awkwardness at the charity stripe, he was benched again. Nobody truly knew the complexity of the situation, it just seemed like confidence was lost. Both Markelle’s confidence in his game and the 76er coaching staff’s confidence in Markelle. Fultz’s agent came out and said his client would be seeing a shoulder specialist and would not participate in games and practices, and hinted that Fultz “could prefer a change in scenery.” This completely blindsided me and the rest of the basketball world because we were literally sitting and waiting it out with Fultz. It seems like the shoulder was worse than initially thought and he can’t hide it any longer. Reports have surfaced that Fultz “is no longer in the Sixers’ long-term plans, and the feelings appear to be mutual.
Fultz is no longer in the Sixers’ long-term plans. And they are no longer using his shoulder as an excuse for his performances.
-Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
What will happen to Markelle Fultz? Will he ever realize his full potential as the first pick in the 2017 draft? Or will he fall victim to being in the same category as other legendary “Busts” like Sam Bowie, Anthony Bennett, Adam Morrison, Kwame Brown and Hasheem Thabeet. The dark cloud seems to be right over Fultz at the moment and 76er fans have had enough of the charades. Either contribute and help this team win games or get shipped for someone else who can. It’s a dog eat dog world in the National Basketball Association and teams have little to no patience with developing players. Either you are a part of the problem or part of the solution. With Philly not establishing a stronghold in the East it’s time to shuffle the cards a bit and make a play to better the team. After all, this is a business and team ownership is going to try and make the best decisions that will benefit the team and eventually lead them to a championship.
It seemed as if Fultz had worked out his shooting woes and had finally turned the corner with his shoulder injury. But looks can be deceiving. (Photo by Yahoo Sports)
This marriage seems to be heading for divorce. It’s going to be very difficult for 76ers management to work out a deal should those reports from the shoulder specialist come back showing any structural or nerve damage. Perhaps a trade to the NY Knicks for Courtney Lee would work. It would be an even swap that gives NY a lottery ticket in Fultz and 76ers some veteran wing help in Lee. Knicks have been trying to move Lee and maybe the swap would work for both teams. Another suitor for Fultz’s services would be the Cleveland Cavs as a trade for former 76er Kyle Korver would probably work. The main concern would be that the Cavs already have a rookie PG in Collin Sexton, and he seems to be getting better every day.
Many feel like it is a confidence issue with Fultz. Others feel like the shoulder injury is still ailing him. Whichever issue it is he needs to figure out how to combat the issue ASAP. (Photo The Athletic)
The major concern here is getting word back that Markelle Fultz is healthy and ready to resume practicing and playing in games. His stock has never been lower and just the mere fact that he’s healthy and able to participate is great news for 76er management. It would help the Sixers get a trade done that is of any value. No one wants to trade for a guy who’s hurt. Since both sides are encouraging a change of scenery for Fultz, it’s very important that this trade is done swiftly. Once word comes back to show that there is no long term damage then and only then can Fultz move on with a team where he can contribute. If the news reveals long term damage to his shoulder then this soap opera could play out longer. At the end of the day I just want to see Markelle Fultz reach his full potential. I hope that the next team that he suits up for will utilize him the best way possible.