As it stands, it’s difficult to picture any team passing up on Markelle Fultz’s talent at the one spot in the NBA Draft– even with the meteoric ascension of Lonzo Ball. The Washington freshman boasts the most diverse offensive repertoire of the top tier prospects in this year’s class, and gives Boston that superstar-potential talent that they’ve been so desperately in pursuit of in recent seasons. The only question is Fultz’s knee. Can it stand up to the 82 game NBA season?
Fultz has markedly few holes in his offensive game, as his 6-4 frame with a 6-9 wingspan allows him to attack in a variety of ways from the one spot. He’s a smooth outside shooter (41.3 percent), and has the type of shifty mid-range game and at-the-rim finishing touch that should translate into immediate offense at the next level.
There are obviously some fit concerns regarding Fultz and Isaiah Thomas, as both are ball dominant playmakers. Thomas — who’s arguably a top 5 name in the MVP race at this stage — is in the midst of his prime at 28, while Boston’s recent free agency splash, Al Horford, is 30-years-old himself. This is a team built to contend now, and throwing in another top tier point guard who’s just 19 is an awkward predicament to have.
But, given Fultz’s size and length, he has the ability to both backup and play alongside Thomas in the short term, with the long term prognosis likely depending on how well Fultz pans out at the next level. His talent is too much to pass up on here, and Boston pulls the trigger regardless of rotational quirks.