Would you still draft Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 pick today?

By Christopher Kline | Jan 3, 2018

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Markelle Fultz speaks with the media after being selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Should the Philadelphia 76ers regret their decision to select Markelle Fultz first overall in the 2017 NBA Draft?

The difference a handful of months can make is significant. Back in June, Philadelphia 76ers fans were thrilled after the team traded up for the no. 1 pick in an effort to select Markelle Fultz — the Washington guard who, at the time, was the consensus top prospect.

Now we’ve reached the new year and people are already questioning whether or not Fultz was the right choice. Not only has he dealt with injury, but was oddly incapable of shooting after muscular imbalance messed with his shoulder during the offseason. What’s even more odd, though, was the fact that it took four games to realize the severity of the issue and rest him.

Fultz didn’t look good in those four games, and that complete refusal to shoot has left some pundits a bit gunshy. Oh, and Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell and Kyle Kuzma are balling out, all putting together campaigns that could inevitably rival Ben Simmons‘ Rookie of the Year run.

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The combination of Fultz’s shaky start and the impressive play those other three names means some think the Sixers made the wrong decision, while others will continue to stan for Fultz. The reality is pretty simple: there’s no way to know who made the right (or wrong) decision at this point.

In general, rookie evaluations are flawed. Individual circumstances play an underrated role in immediate performance, while most rookies — espeically teenagers — need a year or two to adjust to the NBA pace. Even top prospects who have committed their lives to basketball tend to struggle out of the gate.

That’s normal, especially for point guards. Lonzo Ball looked lost early in the season, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bust. The same goes for De’Aaron Fox and Dennis Smith Jr., both of whom have seen their fair share of ups and downs.

So Fultz, who struggled while playing through motion-limiting injury, can’t be judged too heavily either. It wasn’t like he was all bad during his first four games, as his shifty ball handling and ability to get to the rim still leaves some optimism regardless of his jumper (although the jumper is close to a make-or-break skill).

That same philosophy, to some extent, can be reversed as well. A great rookie year doesn’t always lead to a great career, as evidenced by players like O.J. Mayo and Tyreke Evans. Players can thrive early on and hit roadbumps in the future — that’s just the innate unpredictability of NBA basketball.

Donovan Mitchell looks like a star, and it’s hard to promote taking an unknown (like Fultz) over somebody who’s averaging 20.5 points per game since taking over as a full-time starter. Still, Fultz’s court vision, feel and scoring instincts were always better than Mitchell’s in college. The potential, by all means, is still there.

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We’ve seen plenty of scoring guards in Mitchell’s vein struggle after a strong rookie campaign as well. Again, names like O.J. Mayo and Brandon Jennings come to mind.

In Tatum’s case, his insane efficiency from 3-point range isn’t sustainable. I’d be willing to bet he won’t be shooting 47.1 percent from deep 40 games into his second season, and efficiency has been a massive part of his appeal thus far. He looks like a special talent, but it won’t always be this easy.

Kuzma, like Tatum, has outdone his collegiate efficiency by an insane margin.

All three of those names should be viewed favorably. Mitchell was always someone I always thought highly of, while Tatum was a consensus top-five talent in most circles. Kuzma was considered the steal of the draft ever since he took over Summer League alongside the aforementioned Ball.

They’re all really good players, but the point is simple: Fultz could, and should, be one as well. It’s way too early to write off Fultz or dub anyone the superior talent. It’s very possible that Donovan Mitchell is the best player from the 2017 class, but Fultz still has that potential as well.

Next: Sixers' defense tells differing tales

Be patient and don’t jump on the hot take train just yet.