It’s becoming clear that Markelle Fultz isn’t in Philadelphia’s future plans, as neither side appears keen on a long-term relationship. While the former No. 1 pick doesn’t have a ton of trade value on the market, some rival teams are looking into the situation.
The Pistons are among the teams doing due diligence on Fultz, Rod Beard of the Detroit News relays, confirming a previous report that Detroit was interested in the Washington product. It was previously reported that the Suns have also expressed interest.
It’s not clear what the Sixers’ asking price is for Fultz. The injured guard played in just 19 games for Philadelphia this season, missing time without specific details on his ailment until it was announced that he was suffering from neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.
Beard takes a look at what Detroit could offer and speculates that it’s unlikely that the Pistons move a first-round pick in a potential deal. They surrendered their 2018 first-rounder in the Blake Griffin trade.
Ish Smith ($6MM) and Reggie Bullock ($2.5MM) are each on expiring deals and could be useful to the Sixers this season. Bullock, in particular, would provide Philly with another floor spacer on the perimeter. He made 44.6% of his shots from behind the arc last season. He came back down to earth this year, making 35.0% of his attempts while battling ankle woes.
Smith served two separate stints as a Sixers’ floor general during the less glamorous periods of The Process. He’s a slightly below average shooter from downtown, but Beard argues that he could provide the team with a spark off the bench.
With Bullock slumping and Smith providing neither top shooting or defense, finding a workable trade is difficult. Short of a Detroit offering a first-rounder, it’s hard to see the incentive for the Sixers to send Fultz to Motown.
Perhaps Philadelphia looks at Detroit’s roster and narrows in on a young prospect, such as Luke Kennard or Khyri Thomas, and decide to build a package around him. No reports have surfaced relaying what exactly the team is looking for in a Fultz trade, so it’s hard to speculate on what deal would make the most sense.
Fultz is making $8.3MM this season with $9.7MM coming in next year. His deal contains a team option on the 2020/21 season worth $12.3MM.
Do the Pistons have the right assets to make a Markelle Fultz deal with the Sixers? If you were Detroit’s GM, what would you offer for the former No. 1 pick? If you were in Philadelphia’s front office, what would you accept?
Let’s us know what you think in the comment section below. We look forward to what you have to say!
Yo dog that’s gonna he a no from me
Bulls
Yeah….pass.
Has Fultz been made available by the Sixers?
Honestly maybe the Knicks could swing a deal and just keep on the lottery bust train
No way the Sixers get a rotation-level player for Fultz. He needs time in the G League.
Bradley Beal needs to be the target, and if fultz can be part of that package then great
I’d rather have a good stretch 4, since that’s their weakest position, but Beal is a good option, too (even though he’s very similar to Butler). Would Washington take Fultz, the Miami pick and a Sixers pick? That works under the cap. Maybe it takes Smith, too (or maybe Furkan or Landry) to make that work for Washington. Those moves also work under the cap.
I like Beal. I’m afraid they will want Fultz and Zhaire who I’m still really high on because of his athleticism. Probably a pick too. If that’s too much of a reach then Josh Jackson for Fultz makes sense too. I still would rather wait and send him down to rehab and see what happens. Already invested in him this much.
Josh jackson might be good in a couple years but if they don’t make a deep run at it now then butler probably leaves and then they are in trouble
Butler’s not going anywhere. He’s been pretty clear his top priority is a max deal.
I’d guess 6ers want a win now player or 2 on expiring deals and are willing to eat the fact they whiffed on fultz and go all in this year. That being said I’d trade him for Ariza and I’d even include a 2nd or 2. He makes that team a contender
I truly think whatever team lands Ariza wins the trade market this year
If the pistons only have to give up ish and Reggie I would do that in a heartbeat. The potential is way to high to pass it up. There has to be a reason he was drafted first. As long as Luke Kennard isn’t involved
I think all these Fultz trade predictions are way off. If they’re making a trade today (or after Dec. 15 or Jan. 15), Fultz’s greatest value is as a salary to attach to the Miami pick (and maybe a Sixers pick) to either get another really good player — either a better starter at SG or a really solid stretch 4 (or at least an athletic 4). That would allow them to improve their current roster without trading away any of their very limited depth. The only other way they could acquire a useful player would be to trade Chandler or maybe JJ, and they are so shallow that they really have to add more players than they give up. Unless they are still playing for the future instead of this year.
Also, I don’t think Kyhri Thomas is an option because he was traded by the Sixers to the Pistons. Does the 1-year trade-back moratorium not apply to guys who are traded before they sign their first contract?
4th team for LA/Hou/Pho trade?
Fultz may not be in their plans either way, but, at this point, they have to ask is this the best time to trade him. Right now, I imagine the discount in his market value (from even early in the year) is enormous. NBA personnel types are paid to evaluate and take risks, but generally not medical risks, in particular where the medical professionals can’t say for sure. Then again, things can always go down.
I think Fultz’s trade value will decline when his thoracic therapy does not seem to have much effect. By Feb.15 that’s how it will look. The sooner Philly trades him the better.
Detroit trading Stanley Johnson for him is appropriate! Give them both some new scenery.
link to espn.com
Beal, Fultz, and Muscala to the Pistons.
Leuer and Ellenson to the 76ers.
Jackson and Robinson to the Wizards.
Did you really put Ish Smith as a trade target? Can’t even take this seriously.
Pistons better not give up a draft pick again. It will set them back even another year after Blake is gone.