The Cleveland Cavaliers have spoken to the Philadelphia 76ers about a potential trade involving second-year guard Markelle Fultz, according to a report from Amico Hoops.
Despite the fact that they traded up to select him with the first overall pick in the draft just a year and a half ago, Fultz is no longer in the Sixers' long-term plans, according to a separate report from Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Fultz is currently not participating in games or practices with the Sixers as he waits to see a shoulder specialist early next week.
From Pompey:
"Some sources have said that, despite the team's statements, Fultz is no longer in the Sixers' long-term plans. And they are no longer using his shoulder as an excuse for his performances.
…
If the 76ers have tired of this saga and are considering trading Fultz, and multiple sources said they are, his trade value must have declined a great deal since the start of the season… The team might be able to get a late-first-round pick for Fultz from a desperate club willing to take a chance, or the Sixers could try for a player with an expiring contract. That would enable them to avoid paying the $9.7 million that Fultz is guaranteed for next season.
[Jimmy] Butler is expected to opt out of the final year of his deal, and the money saved by trading Fultz could allow the Sixers to re-sign Butler and another top free agent."
Fultz, the top pick from the '17 NBA Draft, missed 69 games during his rookie campaign due to an offseason shoulder injury and the resulting collapse of his shooting stroke and on-court confidence. Heading into this season, he was deemed healthy and inserted into the Sixers starting lineup.
However, since the team added four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler via trade earlier this month, Fultz has been bumped back to a reserve role. Last Monday night, Fultz played just seven minutes against the Phoenix Suns and didn't appear in the second half, as T.J. McConnell got the minutes that would have normally gone to Fultz. The next morning it was announced that he would be out of action until seeing a specialist.
After a somewhat solid start to the season, Fultz has seemingly regressed recently, and his form hit an all-time low earlier this month, as he pump-faked a free throw against the Miami Heat.
While some have suggested that Fultz's struggles are mental, he has been adamant that they are the result of physical injury.
"What happened last year was an injury," Fultz said at Sixers media day in September. "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.
"Just like any normal person, when you're used to doing something the same way each and every day and something happens, of course, you're going to start thinking about it. It's just normal."
On the season, Fultz is averaging 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game for the Sixers, while shooting just 41% from the field, 28% from three, and 57% from the foul line.
