Fultz to Toronto: A Last Shot, Or Just More Limbo?
Remember Markelle Fultz? The guy drafted ahead of Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell in 2017? Yeah, that Markelle Fultz. He's signing a 10-day deal with the Toronto Raptors, a move that feels less like a resurrection and more like a final, desperate roll of the dice in a career plagued by more questions than answers.
Key Analysis
Here's the thing: Fultz was supposed to be a cornerstone. The Philadelphia 76ers took him No. 1 overall, betting big on his do-it-all guard skills from Washington. He averaged 23.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in his lone college season. Elite stuff. Then the infamous "yips" hit his shot, his mechanics went haywire, and his Sixers tenure ended after just 33 games, shooting a baffling 47.6% from the free-throw line in 2018-19. They traded him to Orlando in February 2019 for Jonathon Simmons and two draft picks. That's a stark return for a top pick.
**The Orlando Chapter: Flashes, But No Consistency**
Breaking It Down
Orlando was supposed to be his fresh start, a low-pressure environment to rediscover his game. And to his credit, there were glimpses. In the 2019-20 season, his first full year as a starter, Fultz put up 12.1 points and 5.1 assists, even shooting a respectable 73% from the line. He started 60 games. It looked like he was turning a corner. But then, a torn ACL in January 2021 derailed everything again. He played only eight games that season.
Since then, it's been a cycle of injury and brief returns. He played 18 games in 2021-22, 60 in 2022-23 – his most since his college year – averaging 14.0 points and 5.7 assists in April 2023. You'd see a Euro-step, a crafty finish, a crisp pass, and think, "There it is!" Then he’d miss significant time, like the 25 games he sat out to start this current season with a knee issue. He's only appeared in 23 games this year, averaging 7.8 points and 2.8 assists. The Magic moved on, letting his four-year, $50 million contract expire. And honestly, it was the right move. The Magic are building around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, not waiting on a perpetually injured point guard.
What This Means
Look, Fultz still possesses incredible athleticism and court vision. He’s got size for a point guard at 6-foot-3. But his jump shot remains unreliable, and his career 28.7% from three-point range tells you all you need to know. NBA defenses respect him on the drive, but they dare him to shoot from deep. He hasn’t proven he can make them pay.
**Raptors' Folly or a Genius Move?**
Looking Ahead
So, why Toronto? The Raptors are rebuilding, or re-tooling, or whatever term they’re using these days. They traded Pascal Siakam in January and OG Anunoby in December. They're 23-45 as of March 20, well out of playoff contention. Adding Fultz is a low-risk, potentially high-reward play, but the "high reward" part feels incredibly optimistic at this point. They’ve got Immanuel Quickley and Ochai Agbaji in the backcourt, plus Gary Trent Jr. and Bruce Brown, though Brown's future is uncertain.
What can Fultz offer in 10 days? Maybe a couple of flashy passes, a strong drive to the rim, and another reminder of what could have been. He’ll get minutes in a lost season. But let's be real: this isn't about Fultz becoming the next great Raptor. This is about seeing if he can even stay on the court for two weeks without another ailment flaring up. He’s played 10 straight games exactly once in the last two seasons.
Here's my take: Fultz will show a flash or two, enough to make some fans momentarily excited, but ultimately, the injury history and the shot mechanics will prevent him from earning anything more than a second 10-day deal. He'll play out those 20 days and then be looking for a new home next season, likely on a minimum deal, still searching for that elusive consistency.