If the Philadelphia 76ers world becomes all sunshine, lollipops and rainbows with the return of a healthy Markelle Fultz, what role, if any, can he expect to play with the team?
While you can read all kinds of publications speculating that Markelle Fultz is on the trading block, the bottom line is that it is highly unlikely Fultz plays anywhere except with the Philadelphia 76ers this season.
There has been a lot of posturing from Fultz’s camp about him looking to get out of Philly while Sixers have retaliated by letting it slip in leaks that they are not married to Fultz being here either.
However, the bottom line is there is no way the Sixers can get anything close to value for the 2017 No. 1 overall pick at the moment. Teams usually do not line up to give up high draft picks for guards with 33 games of experience who can not shoot and has either major physical problems that have lasted over a year or a mental block that greatly affects his play.
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Would a Phoenix or Atlanta, young teams going nowhere, take a flier and throw the Sixers say, a second-round pick in 2020 and 2021 for him on the off-chance he realizes his potential? Probably.
But what would the Sixers gain out of it? Not much. Yeah the Fultz problem goes away, but in return they get peanuts compared to what they gave up for the chance to draft Fultz. The Sixers saying they do not need Fultz is probably just posturing on their part, showing Fultz’s agent Raymond Brothers that two can play this game.
All reports are that Fultz gets along with his teammates and coach Brett Brown. Even when his agent/lawyer informed general manager Elton Brand that he would not longer take part in practices or games until a shoulder specialist could check him out, Fultz still went to the team’s voluntary light shooting session the same day and also was part of a team walk-through the following day. He is not exactly acting like someone who can’t stand to be around the team and is looking to bail.
The most likely development is that, at some point, he will come back to the 76ers. Is there a spot for him in the lineup? Absolutely.
Coach Brown had said he was pleased with Fultz’s progress since the beginning of the season. Will go back to being a starter? No, that shipped has sailed with the addition of Jimmy Butler, as development is out and winning now is the 76ers goal.
But that is not to say Fultz can not help the Sixers win now as a key reserve. After the Butler trade, Fultz became basically the backup point guard and was getting 20-25 minutes a game and he usually played a few minutes with Simmons at some point.
He had already filled that role basically in the second half of games, as J.J. Redick started in his place after halftime. Fultz had actually done well in that role, providing a spark to the team off the bench as it went through its usual third period doldrums. His play in the second half had been key in a victory over a tough Clippers squad.
While T.J. McConnell helped the team to a win over the Phoenix Suns, as Fultz was benched in the second half in favor of him, McConnell did not look as sharp in the next two games. McConnell is scrappy, a team player and has skills, but the bottom line he does not possess the immense physical capabilities of Fultz.
The Sixers could have used Fultz’s athleticism on the defensive end on Friday as the Cavaliers’ guards sliced and diced the Sixers defense as the 2-14 team y rolled to the 121-112 victory. If he had been available, he might have provided them with a boost, just like he did against the Clippers.
So if Fultz comes back he will play, maybe not 30-35 minutes a game like a Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons, but there is certainly a role for him on merit.
It will most likely it would be just like it was when he was yanked away by his agent. Mainly backup point guard, 20-23 minutes a game, less if playing poorly.
And if, somehow, Fultz starts to be able to hit jump shots past the foul line, well then his role could be greatly increased. Maybe even Brown will trust him to play at the end of a game.
Remember, even in his current state, Fultz is 20 years old and has played 33 games in the NBA. He is only going to get better and there is no reason he can not contribute to a Sixers team with NBA Finals hopes as the season goes forward.