What Happened To Markelle Fultz?

How can a #1 draft pick, seen as the final piece to the puzzle for the Philadelphia 76ers rebuild - become an unsigned free agent looking for a team? The story of Markelle Fultz's NBA career is one of confusion and mystery. A story worth telling nonetheless.  

NBA Draft 

After a stellar individual season at the University of Washington where Markelle averaged 23.2 PPG, 5.7 APG, whilst shooting a scorching 47.6% from the field, his name was at the top of all mock drafts. Standing at 6’4 with a 6’10 wingspan - Markelle had the potential to become one of the NBA’s best guards. 

The Philadelphia 76ers originally had the #3 pick in the 2017 Draft and had their eyes set on Fultz. So much so that they traded up to #1 to prevent another team from taking him. 

Many around the NBA praised this selection by the 76ers. With a young core of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz - a franchise that struggled for years now had a promising future.

The Secret Injury 

The mystery surrounding Markelle’s fall off began before he even made his regular season debut. Throughout Sixers preseason practice scrimmages, concerning videos of Markelle’s shooting form were released. Unlike in college, his form now looked rigid and clunky.

These issues still wouldn’t be resolved once preseason games began. His poor form was on full display at the free throw line in a clip that left the internet scratching their heads.

A reporter via The Philadelphia Inquirer asked Sixers head coach Brett Brown whether or not he was comfortable with where his shot was at. Brown responded: “No, and so we’re gonna get back on track.”

Fultz would eventually admit that he was having shoulder pain, and this is what caused him to alter his form. He would play on limited minutes over the first four games in his rookie year and average 6 PPG. 

Markelle’s agent, Raymond Brothers, would make headlines after telling ESPN that Fultz had fluid drained from his shoulder in an attempt to heal the injury. Brothers told reporters, “He literally cannot raise up his arms to shoot the basketball. He decided to try and fight through the pain to help the team.” Fultz’s agent would then go back on this statement and say he had fluid put into his shoulder, not taken out.

There was a lot of confusion surrounding the real reason Markelle’s form changed in the first place. Sixers GM Bryan Colangelo believed that Fultz changed his form on his own, and it was this change that caused the soreness. Brett Brown agreed and insisted Markelle changed his shot on his own accord. Fultz’s longtime trainer and family friend Keith Williams would deny these claims during a Philadelphia radio station show. He would say on the 94WIP show, “Oh my god. That’s false. That’s not true. That’s not a changed shot at all. That’s something that’s been altered because of the injury.” 

On Oct 2017, just 4 games into his rookie year, the Sixers ruled Markelle out indefinitely with ‘soreness and scapular muscle imbalance’ in his right shoulder. He wouldn’t return to NBA action until March 2018. His rookie campaign ended with him averaging 7.1 PPG across 14 games.

The Downfall

The following year, the same issues that plagued his rookie year would continue. The shoulder was not fully healed, and his form was still wonky. Fultz also got moved to the bench after the 76ers traded for Jimmy Butler at the beginning of the season - further hindering his development. 

Fultz’s agent would take it upon himself to rule out Markelle from participating in games and practices until he saw a shoulder specialist to further evaluate the injury. However, the same day this announcement was made, Markelle would take part in shooting practice with the 76ers - directly contradicting what his own agent said. 

This situation would get messier after The Athletic reported that Markelle was dealing with a wrist injury on top of his shoulder problem. According to this report, Fultz also wanted a fresh start with a new team. Brothers would immediately deny this claim, stating that he gave no indication to the Sixers GM that his client wanted to be traded. 

In Early December of 2018, Markelle’s mystery injury would finally be diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome. He would not play again for the rest of the season after this diagnosis, ending his second year in the NBA after just 19 games played. 

New Scenery 

Just two months after his diagnosis, the Sixers decided to part ways with their #1 pick and trade Fultz to the Orlando Magic in February of 2019. Markelle would spend 5 years with the Magic where he again struggled to stay healthy. 

A torn ACL and fractured toe were amongst the key injuries that affected his time with the Magic. Constant flare ups in his knee post ACL recovery stopped him from gaining any type of momentum.

Due to his inconsistent availability, the Magic decided not to re-sign him after the 2024 season. He would stay a free agent that entire offseason - struggling to find a team. That was until the Sacramento Kings agreed to deal with Fultz halfway through the 2025 season, as they needed another guard after trading De’Aaron Fox. He would finish the year with the Kings averaging 2.9 PPG on a very limited role off the bench. 

The Kings would not re-sign Fultz and he is currently once again a free agent.

It is unfortunate Fultz faced so much adversity to begin his career. Ever since being drafted, he has been in a constant battle to regain control of his body. His story serves as a reminder that many factors - some outside a player’s control - contribute to a prospect’s success or failure.