Philadelphia 76ers still winning the Markelle Fultz trade

It may not feel like, but the Philadelphia 76ers are still the winners of the Markelle Fultz trade, despite all of the offseason changes.

There’s been a lot of changes for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic, along with the rest of the NBA since the Sixers traded former top pick Markelle Fultz to the Magic. Despite all the changes, there’s a good argument that can be made that the 76ers came away as the winners of the trade at this point.

Let’s review the trade before getting into who’s winning or losing the deal. Philly sent Fultz to Orlando in exchange for Jonathon Simmons, 2020 protected first round pick, via the Oklahoma City Thunder and 2019 second round pick, via the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Thunder’s selection is protected top-20 and if it doesn’t convey that year, then it turns in two unprotected second round picks in 2022 and 2023.

It’s true that the Magic got Fultz who has huge upside, if he can ever get healthy. However, that appears to be the problem. Fultz was never healthy with the Sixers and was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome last season before being traded.

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Despite making good progress in rehabilitation, the Magic still have no timetable for the point guard’s return. It seems to be the same story, but different team with Fultz. It’s unclear when, or even if Fultz will debut with the Magic. Giving up multiple picks for a player whose future is in limbo seems like a steep price to pay. In the event that Fultz doesn’t play this upcoming season, the Magic still owe him $9.7 million this year, with a team option for $12.3 million the following season.

Now, it’s not like Sixers are the clear winners of this trade either. Simmons never was able to establish himself as a reliable rotation player. He didn’t have a future with the club and in order to avoid paying him, Philly attached their 42nd pick in this past draft to trade him to the Washington Wizards for cash considerations.

Before free agency this summer, it appeared that there was good chance that the 76ers would get Oklahoma City’s first round pick in 2020. The Thunder had the duo of Russell Westbrook and Paul George, along with a nice supporting cast that included Jerami Grant and Steven Adams. Then free agency began and changed the future of Oklahoma City. This team was set to make the playoffs for years to come before this offseason.

George requested to be traded to the Los Angeles Clippers to join Kawhi Leonard. The Thunder obliged and received Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari along with a multitude of picks, which kicked off a major rebuild for the franchise. Grant was traded to the Denver Nuggets for a pick and Westbrook was dealt to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul along with picks as a result of this rebuild.

Now, the Thunder have a lot of draft picks and a core that includes: Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander, Gallinari and Adams. OKC has tried to find a trade partner for Paul, but that doesn’t seem to be happening before the start of the season. There’s a real chance that he stays with the club for at least a portion of the regular season, which will hurt their chances of landing a top pick in the upcoming draft.

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Don’t be mistaken, it’s extremely unlikely this new core will have the Thunder end with one of the top ten records in the NBA. OKC will in all likelihood retain their pick first round pick in the draft next summer. However, there’s a positive to the Thunder rebuilding. Assuming that the 2020 pick doesn’t convey, it turns into two second rounders in 2022 and 2023. There’s a good chance that OKC will still be rebuilding at that point, so those will be high value second round picks.

The Sixers were also able to use that second round pick they got, via the Cavaliers in this past draft to move up with a trade and select Matisse Thybulle. Thybulle is one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft and had a very solid summer league (stats per RealGM), which should paint a bright future for the 76ers.

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As of now, Fultz’s future is in limbo and the Magic are on the hook for his contract for this season. Simmons not working out and costing the Philadelphia 76ers a draft pick to rid themselves of his contract, along with the Thunder set to rebuild, didn’t help the Sixers. However, the 76ers still come out with valuable picks and used one pick already to help gain a good player in this past draft. Philly’s still winner of the Fultz trade at this point in time.