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Philadelphia 76ers: Markelle Fultz’s fit when he returns

By Daniel Lubofsky

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Furkan Korkmaz #30 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers watch the game from the bench in the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 21, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Rockets 121-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Furkan Korkmaz #30 and Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers watch the game from the bench in the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at the Wells Fargo Center on January 21, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Rockets 121-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Despite a plummet in stock, there still has to be a role for Markelle Fultz once he returns to the court for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Remember Markelle Fultz?

The often scrutinized point guard has been inactive since late November, rehabbing his Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. This came after about a year’s worth of rumors and speculations regarding the deterioration of a game that made him the No. 1 overall draft pick back in 2017 by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Fultz has begun appearing at Sixers games and plans to travel with the team on their upcoming road trip. There have been little to no updates on his progress, nor has a timetable been set for his eventual return. But sooner or later, Philadelphia will have to figure out where he fits, if at all, within this team.

While such a time seems so long ago, there was no denying Fultz’s talent back when he was in college. In just one season at Washington, he flashed incredible athleticism with the dynamic scoring ability that has helped so many of the top floor generals in the NBA today.

The former Husky averaged 23.2 points, 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Guys like De’Aaron Fox and Jayson Tatum showed promise, but there was no debate as to who the top overall pick would be that June. It was Markelle Fultz. When the Sixers traded up in the draft to take him, the media was abuzz at the steal Philly had just managed to pull off for what was sure to be a future All-Star.

There was logic to the 76ers’ decision to go get Fultz in the draft. In fact, it seemed like a hand-in-glove fit between a dominant on-ball scorer and a team that lacked exactly that. Joel Embiid was their inside presence, Ben Simmons the facilitator, but there was no player on the roster who could create something out of nothing at a high level.

In Fultz, Philly saw its closer in the mold of a Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard, a guy you could hand the ball off to at the top of the key and expect a bucket in some form or another. The Sixers’ offense stalled at numerous points down the stretch last season. It’s likely part of the reason they went and got Jimmy Butler. But before he arrived, it was Fultz who was supposed to assume those duties.

So what exactly is the role Markelle Fultz will assume once he makes his triumphant return to the court? Unfortunately, it likely won’t be as a starter. It can’t be. Brett Brown had him starting in place of J.J. Redick to begin the season and it was a killer to the team’s spacing. Now, after shipping away two of their best snipers in order to acquire Butler, Philly’s shooting woes are even more apparent than before, an issue Fultz isn’t the answer to.

Where he can help, though, is as a member of the second unit. The Sixers’ bench ranks 24th in scoring and 16th in assists. Given the lack of secondary playmakers, Fultz would almost certainly have complete control of the offense, which would help him rediscover both his rhythm and confidence.

Unlike most teams with young talent, Philly can’t afford to trot Fultz out and allow him to make mistakes. At the same time, it wants to see a return on its high investment.

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He may never be the player he was coming out of college, but the Sixers don’t need more star power. They need competent role players, and if Markelle Fultz can get back healthy with enough time before the playoffs, there will certainly be an opening for him to contribute in that type of capacity.