Markelle Fultz is coming off the strongest season of his still-young NBA career. But the Orlando Magic point guard still remembers his days as a Philadelphia 76er, and the struggles that defined the early portion of his career.
Some might argue Fultz could have helped Philadelphia this season, four years after the franchise traded him for Jonathon Simmons and two draft picks. Fultz seems to be in that camp, if his recent appearance on the Knuckle Heads podcast is any indication.
Fultz laments “weird situation”
The 76ers dealt Fultz to Orlando in 2019, having run out of patience with the player they took #1 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Fultz played only 33 games for Philadelphia as he struggled to recover from thoracic outlet syndrome, an injury that primarily affected his shoulder.
“I wish I had a chance to help them because I really feel like I could’ve helped them win if they were patient and let me get healthy,” Fultz said.
Even more damaging to Philly‘s case is that the franchise has not played in the NBA Finals since dealing Fultz, and its 40-year championship drought remains active. Simmons, the player acquired in the Fultz trade, has not played in the NBA since 2019 — although one of the draft picks the 76ers acquired became star guard Tyrese Maxey.
Diplomatic Fultz happy in Orlando
Although Fultz wishes his time in Philadelphia had gone differently, the 25-year-old believes he is stronger for the experience of not living up to expectations.
“I’m thankful for everything that they did for me,” he said on Knuckle Heads. “Everything worked out good.”
Fultz started all 60 games he played for the Magic in 2022/23, averaging a career-high 14 points per game on career-best 51 percent shooting. He also notched 5.7 assists and recorded 1.5 steals per night, both career highs.