26. Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
A weird summer has brought Fultz’s expectations back down the earth, which might end up being a good thing. He needs to figure out his shot and get more comfortable off the ball alongside Ben Simmons, but his basketball I.Q. and general scoring polish is more than enough to make him productive in some capacity next season.
He’ll struggle with turnovers and efficiency won’t be his strong suit, but those are the issues that come with being a rookie point guard. Especially with his shoulder pain, this season will be about making adjustments that Fultz didn’t have to make as the go-to man at Washington.
Spending some time with the second unit, like Fultz will to start the season, could be a long term positive. He’s still at his best when attacking in the pick-and-roll and using his shiftiness to get into the teeth of the defense, and being given that freedom could help him regain some confidence that might have been lost earlier this summer.