Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Former first overall pick is expected to hit the trade market

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 1/14/24

Markelle Fultz was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the first overall pick in 2017. Philadelphia had traded up to the top spot in the draft to acquire him, allowing the Boston Celtics to slide down to third, where they selected All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum.

Fultz immediately dealt with injury issues, making just 33 appearances for the Sixers over his first two years in the NBA. He was then traded to the Orlando Magic.

Since heading to Disney World, Fultz has somewhat rebuilt his career. He's shown signs of the talent that made him such a highly touted prospect. However, he has still struggled with his ability to remain healthy.

Now, as the Magic progress out of their rebuild and into being potential playoff contenders, it would appear they're ready to move on from Fultz, as reported by Marc Stein.

"Orlando is said to be exploring the trade market for guard Markelle Fultz, who is playing on a $17M expiring contract," Stein wrote in his SteinLine newsletter.

Expiring contracts are a valuable commodity in the NBA. They allow teams to shed salary heading into free agency. Any interested teams will be looking at the potential to clear some cap space rather than dreaming of what Fultz can offer if he begins to realize his potential.

It's the tough nature of the NBA. At this point, Fultz may struggle to find a new home in the league, so his value is based on an expiring contract.

Whether he can prove his fitness to a new team in the summer is another question. For the Magic, they will likely want a slender return to move on from Fultz, especially as Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black have both shown upside in the backcourt.

Orlando's decision to make Fultz available is purely business. There was a time when he was projected as a potential guard of the future for the franchise.

However, Orlando clearly has lofty goals. They can't rely on him to remain healthy, and that has been the story of Fultz's tenure in the NBA thus far.

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