6. Markelle Fultz
The 2018-19 season, for all intents and purposes, is set up to be a major bounce-back year for one Markelle Fultz. We all know quite well the rookie year Fultz endured: from mysterious shoulder injuries, to ugly hitches in his jump shot, to people actually doubting his long-term outlook in the wake of all these setbacks, etc.
Now, all signs point to us finding out what Fultz is truly capable of this upcoming season.
Last season provided us with merely a glimpse into Markelle’s potentially All-Star-caliber skill set. Obviously the athleticism is the one thing that stands up above all else. He’s explosive getting to the basket yet displays impressive body control when finishing at the rim, allowing him to hit even the toughest of layup attempts. Plus he has the leaping ability to develop into a solid rebounder as well. He’s also proven to be an excellent ball-handler both in transition and in pick-and-roll sets in addition to being a very able passer.
Of course the one thing everyone will be paying attention to this year is the development of his previously broken jump shot. It’s arguably the one thing that separates him from being a possible superstar in the NBA, and it would also open up so many new layers for this Sixers’ offense. He also was very turnover-prone in game action last year, but that’s to be expected out of a young guard.
Nevertheless, Markelle could easily turn out to be the third star complementing Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons we all thought he could be when he was drafted. He provides this team with another, much-needed capable ball-handler and, if his shot is indeed fixed, even more spacing along with a source of self-offense.
It’s still way too early to tell whether or not he could ever become the best player on the team (probably not, since, you know, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are his teammates), but there’s a good chance he could become the third-best by season’s end.