The Case for Markelle Fultz
In a slow, rebuilding year, the Chicago Bulls should take a chance on the former 1st overall pick.
Coming out of Washington, Markelle Fultz was oft-labeled the consensus 1st pick in the NBA Draft. Putting up numbers of 23 points per game along with 6 rebound and 6 assists, it wasn’t hard to see why. While the Huskies finished an underwhelming 9-22, Fultz’s talent was sure to put him at the top of draft boards. It did.
With the 1st pick in the NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected the promising guard. It was seemingly over. The 76ers had finally completed “The Process” by adding Fultz. It was spoken too soon.
Since entering the league, Markelle Fultz has morphed into one of the weirdest stories in recent memory. Four games into his rookie year, he suffered a shoulder injury that prevented him from properly being able to shoot a basketball. In Markelle’s own words, “What happened […] was an injury. Let me get that straight. It was an injury that happened that didn’t allow me to go through the certain paths that I needed to, to shoot the ball.” Many questions shrouded the injury. How could a basketball player, that young, not be able to shoot a basketball? The injury shut Fultz down for much of his rookie year. In his sophomore season (the current season), Fultz received yet another shoulder problem. This time, he was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). TOS is a disorder which affects the nerves between the neck and shoulder resulting in abnormal functional movement and range of motion. Once again, he could not shoot.
As of now, Fultz still has not returned to the floor. The syndrome can be fixed, however it is not known when he’ll be back.
So why should the Chicago Bulls seek to acquire him?
The Bulls are Rebuilding
The Jimmy Butler Trade signaled a change in direction for the Bulls. They would no longer be a treadmill team, a playoff team but not a real threat; The Bulls would rebuild. Acquiring Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen, the team already had 3 young pieces to build around. Why not add another?
Markelle Fultz could fill the backup point guard role, providing a second 6th man off the bench. Don’t get me wrong. Ryan Arcidiacono is great, but imagine having the talent of a 1st overall pick coming off the pine. Fultz may not return to his college form. That’s a real possibility too. That’s the great thing about a rebuild. While the team should be looking to develop talent to get back to becoming a contender, it can also afford to take a chance on a player like Fultz. If he busts, so be it. If he thrives, then the Bulls just snatched a great talent for pennies on the dollar.
It’s not as if Markelle has shown no promise in his career though, don’t get me wrong. He is currently the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double. He can play-make. Fultz could be a real asset to the Bulls and he really couldn’t be worse than Cameron Payne.
A Change of Scenery
Sometimes all it takes for a player to thrive is a change of scenery. In Markelle’s case, he was thrown into the fire that is Philadelphia Sports Fandom. They are some of the most passionate fans out there, but that isn’t always a good thing for the athletes involved. For example, in the opener against the Bulls this season, Fultz missed a few jump shots, eventually making one. When he made this jumper, the Philadelphia crowd ERUPTED–standing ovation and all. That may not seem so bad, but it happened consistently. Over-blowing the success of a simple jump-shot like that seems excessive. It shouldn’t be that big of a deal when a player hits a mid-range jumper in a relatively unimportant part of the game. It seems wrong. It’s tough to give words to the feeling.
On top of the fans, as mentioned previously, Fultz has struggled mightily in his career with the 76ers. The team no longer sees him as a part of their future, he is still injured. This may be the weirdest start to a 1st overall pick’s career in NBA history. Seemingly the quickest way to fix the situation would be to trade Fultz, and that is a good thing.
Some players have shown that all they need is an opportunity. The Bull’s very own Kris Dunn had many critics labeling him a bust during his rookie season in Minnesota. He arrived in Chicago and quickly burst on to the scene as a great young guard to rebuild with. Even more known is the emergence of Indiana’s Victor Oladipo. After bouncing around between the Magic and Thunder, he was sent to the Pacers in the Paul George Trade. In his first year in Indiana, being the number one option for the team, Oladipo became an All-Star.
It is unrealistic to believe that Fultz could be an All Star just because of a trade, however, coming into a low-pressure situation such as Chicago would give him the minutes and pieces needed to attempt to resurrect his career. It is realistic to believe that a healthy Fultz could recapture the talent of his college-self. Likely entering in a backup role, Markelle could prove that he belongs in the NBA, that he is deserving of that pick spent by the 76ers.
Fultz has the talent. He just needs to get healthy, and get confidence back in his shot. He has the tools to succeed, but he needs to be able to use them. A healthy Fultz could be a serious threat. He was the 1st pick in the draft for a reason. There wouldn’t be any pressure of being a playoff team. No pressure to win games. Fultz would have 3 years to prove his worth to the Bulls, and then they can decide whether or not he is worth keeping around.
The Cost
Currently, the Philadelphia 76ers are seeking a “high quality” first round pick in return for Fultz, likely a lottery selection. In a potential trade with the Bulls, it is highly unlikely that the 76ers would receive such a pick. As the trade deadline nears, Philly is expected to lighten the cost.
The most realistic trade scenario here would be:
76ers give up Markelle Fultz and Wilson Chandler.
The Bulls give up Jabari Parker, Justin Holiday, and a 2nd round pick.
Parker and Holiday give the 76ers great depth pieces to help a possible deep playoff run. Parker a great scorer, and Holiday being a great 3 and D wing. The 2nd Round pick sweetens the deal.
Fultz would come to the Bulls in a backup role, likely sitting out much of this season to get healthy. His true years would begin in the 2019-2020 season. Wilson Chandler is involved as a cap filler, and his deal also expires after the current season.
Depending on the timeframe of a possible trade, the Bulls may not even need to include that 2nd round pick.
Conclusion
The Bulls are rebuilding. Markelle Fultz is struggling to find his place in Philadelphia.
It might not be a match made in heaven, but its a match the Bulls should be willing to take.
Low Risk, High Reward. What could go wrong?
Featured Image: Jesse D. Garrabrant
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