Magic Turnaround: Markelle Fultz Not a 'Bust?'
Orlando Magic point guard Markelle Fultz's career hasn't lived up to the hype that once surrounded him, but has he done enough to avoid the dreaded "bust" label?
In 2017, all the noise entering the NBA Draft came from LaVar Ball as he hyped up his son Lonzo as a future Hall of Fame lock. However, the Philadelphia 76ers traded up to select Fultz No. 1 overall, thanks to his elite shotmaking ability.
Unfortunately, draft night was the last time the "City of Brotherly Love" seemed to care for the young guard. Fultz dealt with injuries that took away his shotmaking, 41 percent from three-point range, and made more than half of his two-point attempts for an average of roughly 23 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Through two seasons with the 76ers, Fultz would play in just 43 games, shooting 41 percent from the field and averaging 7.7 points.
What many believed was "The Process" finally being fulfilled turned out to be a disaster. All that remains of the FEDS core (Fultz, Embiid, Dario, and Simmons) is reigning MVP winner Joel Embiid. After just two seasons, Fultz was shipped to Orlando, where he's found more success, but has it been enough?
Last season was the first in which Fultz shot over 50 percent from the field and marked the second time he's played more than 60 games in a season. Although 14 points and six assists are nothing to scoff at in the NBA, there's no way to argue Fultz is the best player of his draft class up until this point.
Even if we ignore star forwards like No. 3 overall pick Jayson Tatum who's taken his Boston Celtics to the Finals as their franchise star, Fultz is behind guards such as Donovan Mitchell and De'Aaron Fox.
If Fultz can continue building on his game with the Magic this season and keep his starting point guard role from rookie point guard Anthony Black who Orlando invested a top-six pick in. He may be able to remove any remaining skepticism that he's a bust, but until then, he remains the biggest "what if" for the Magic since Tracy McGrady.
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