It has been nearly five months since the Magic acquired Markelle Fultz in a deadline deal with the 76ers, but Orlando still isn’t sure when the former No. 1 pick will suit up for the team. As GM John Hammond recently explained during an appearance on 96.9 The Game (hat tip to Dan Feldman of NBC Sports), it won’t happen in next month’s Summer League.
“He will not play in Summer League with us,” Hammond said. “We didn’t think there was any way that he was going to do that. We didn’t plan on him doing that. So, probably not the place for him right now. But overall, I can just say that he’s doing well.”
Hammond went on to say that Fultz – who was diagnosed last season with thoracic outlet syndrome – has been working “extremely hard” and is in “great shape,” with the Magic hoping he makes his debut for the team sooner rather than later.
“We want to have patience with him and get him ready and put him on the court when he can be most productive,” Hammond added.
Here’s more from around the Southeast:
- The Magic will face difficult decisions on their top two free agents, Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, who points out that bringing back both players could limit both the team’s long-term flexibility and its ceiling. In a separate story, Robbins examines the Magic’s cap situation for this summer, observing that the team won’t have any cap room if it brings back either one of Vucevic or Ross.
- As he considers whether or not to retire, longtime Heat big man Udonis Haslem posted an Instagram message asking for support from fans rather than criticism from those who feel as if he shouldn’t occupy one of the club’s 15 roster spots.
- Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer believes the Hornets made a mistake by drafting Jalen McDaniels with the No. 52 pick last Thursday night. McDaniels has been sued by two former female high school classmates who claim that he recorded them without their consent while they were performing sexual acts. At the very least, the club needs to explain to its fans why it was willing to overlook that, Fowler argues.
I actually feel bad for Magic fans but as Sixers fan I am so happy that I don’t have to hear about patience or unknown recovery timelines with Fultz anymore. I will cherish our 2 months with Jonathan Simmons more than anything Fultz ever did.
magic seemed to have gotten a steal of the draft in bol bol.
The Magic might have the MVP in Giannis too, but like Bol Bol he is property of another team.
Haha, very nice hiflew…I actually chuckled out loud!
You mean Denver…..right?
I’m beginning to think Fultz will never suit up. With Orlando…or anyone.
So will Fultz go down as the worst #1 of all time or will that still be Anthony Bennett or LaRue Martin?
Someone here really ought to write a comparison story about the best/worst #1’s of all time. Maybe turn it into a series with the best/worst at each draft slot. That would be a great read and a really good debate in the comments.
link to google.com
Oh I know it has already been done before. Sports Illustrated does it nearly every year. I just thought it would be cool to read this website’s opinion on the subject. Not to mention the debates among the regulars around here.
Atleast when Fultz was on the court you could see a sliver of NBA potential. Bennett looked out of place from the moment he was drafted
Bennett was the worst.
Bennet being the worst means that a reasonable person could give up on him quickly. The public at large would never have even heard of him, much less be let down.
Fultz however with basketball talent keeps dragging people along– probably still is. The problem of having made an error becomes a yearly event to an ever-widening circle of people.
Still a bit early for Fultz. Gotta see what he does with the Magic and go from there. It’s Bennett for me. He got multiple chances with 4 different teams and somehow got worse over time.
It bothers me that UD would even have to do something like that for the people that dont know jack $#!+. The media, and obviously the internet has become so toxic. Social media is extremely dumb. I hope he comes back, and I hope Spo let’s him play more in certain matchups. I’ve been saying that for 2-3 years now. He is in crazy amazing shape, and is arguably our best post defensive big, and he still defends pick and roll and rebounds. On top of that, being stuck with Whiteside, the Heat needs UD to stay in his ear so the overgrown baby can decide to actually try, especially with Juwan gone
The Magic should retain all of Vucevic, Ross and Birch… get their payoff from investments made. All are still improving, right into prime years. They are not problems. Gordon & Fournier have peaked.
Gordon at the 4 keeps the team fast, that’s about it. Some Western teams like Fournier, who might be too smart for this team. Him and Bamba are your trades for flexibility. They won’t hold value long.