Philadelphia 76ers most important preseason game is against the Magic

The Philadelphia 76ers preseason schedule is out and there’s one game in particular that should be very important to fans.

Recently, the Philadelphia 76ers released their preseason schedule that Christopher Kline, Co-Site Expert of The Sixer Sense, did a great job highlighting in a recent article he wrote. One of the things that Kline briefly touched on was that the Sixers third preseason game is against the Orlando Magic. Their matchup against the Magic will be the most important one of the preseason.

For a brief recap, below is a complete list of all the preseason games that Philly will have this year.

It can be argued that the game against the Detroit Pistons is the important matchup. The Pistons should be a playoff team and the games last season between the two clubs were fun for the fans. Detroit has the star power in Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Derrick Rose, along with the fact that they arguably the toughest team on the preseason schedule. Yet, the matchup for fans to be most excited about is the one against the Magic.

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It’s not because Orlando has an All-Star center in Nikola Vucevic or that like the Pistons, they were a playoff team last season. It’s due to the fact that Orlando is taking a chance on one of the 76ers former point guard of the future they recently selected in the draft lottery and it’s not Michael Carter-Williams.

It was just last season that the Sixers moved former top pick Markelle Fultz. The franchise traded him to the Magic for way below his value as a former lottery pick after it was clear he wasn’t able help the team compete for a title right away.

He has failed to live up to his high draft status since Philly used to No.1 pick on him. It’s due impart to the fact he’s dealt with thoracic outlet syndrome. It has impacted his ability to shoot and his shooting was the main reason why the 76ers traded up to the top pick to select him in the first place.

Currently, Fultz doesn’t have a timetable to return to court after he stopped playing last season, which was before the Sixers traded him. He’s been showing good progress and there was a video recently release of his shot looking much improved. Yet that still doesn’t mean he’s a lock to come back for the preseason matchup against his former team.

If Fultz doesn’t play in that game, then the point I made in a previous article about how the Sixers are still winning the trade that sent him to Orlando would still be true. In the event that he does play in the preseason matchup, then his performance would be an interesting watch for both 76ers and Magic fans alike.

The struggle that Fultz has gone through is unique and despite him not being a part of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise, fans should be interested in seeing if he’s overcome his struggles. That’s why the Sixers preseason matchup against the Magic is the most important from a fans’ standpoint.