It seems more likely by the day that Markelle Fultz's basketball future won't be with the Philadelphia 76ers, and the question of whether his struggles on and off the court are more physical or mental remains one of the NBA's most intriguing current mysteries.
At the behest of Fultz's agent and attorney Raymond Brothers, Fultz is seeing a shoulder specialist this week in New York, a prerequisite for the top pick in the 2017 draft to return to the court. Fultz's struggles with his shot and his confidence, dating back to the summer before his rookie campaign, have been well documented at this point, and it appears like the Sixers have had enough. A report from Philly.com's Keith Pompey over the weekend cited sources who said "Fultz is no longer in the Sixers' long-term plans."
Whether that means the team is actively looking to move him is yet to be seen, but the fact that Fultz is guaranteed $9.7 million next season could act as either a deterrent for other interested teams, or a significant hurdle if Philly is looking to recoup anywhere near equal value for a highly distressed asset.
Philadelphia 76ers' Markelle Fultz during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guard Jerryd Bayless and forward Dario Saric were Fultz's teammates with the Sixers before being part of the package sent to Minnesota that brought Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia. Before a Black Friday matinee in Brooklyn, Bayless and Saric discussed their relationships with Fultz and how and why they think things have gone so wrong for him.
To succinctly sum up what they think is happening, the combination of Fultz's heavy burden of expectations, his lack of early success and possibly his outside influences are major factors in causing this nightmare for both player and team.
“I see a young player that’s had extraordinarily high expectations placed upon him based on where he was drafted that’s going through a lot of things that most young players will go through," Bayless, 30, who's currently rehabbing an injured knee in New York and will soon begin his 11th NBA season on the floor with the Wolves. "Is it heightened because he was the number one pick? I would say so. Is he a perfect player right now? No. Did they think he’d be better? Yes."
Minnesota Timberwolves' Dario Saric of Croatia plays against the Portland Trail Blazers in an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saric said he was close with Fultz before the trade and knows him pretty well. They both worked with assistant coach Chris Babcock and worked out with Fultz this season and last summer, Saric said.
“It’s been very hard for him what’s been happening the last couple of seasons," Saric said. "I saw him this summer, he was, like, fine."
Saric didn't want to delve too deeply into what's currently going on because he's on Minnesota now, but he said Fultz seemed to be enjoying himself over the summer.
"He was happy, he was really enjoying it," Saric said. "When I was talking to him, he seemed like everything was okay."
Every young player goes through his share of ups and downs, Saric said, but it never seemed like good things were happening for Fultz. There were only on-court struggles, self doubt and heavy expectations.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jerryd Bayless (0) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Denver. Philadelphia won 107-102. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)ASSOCIATED PRESS
"This isn’t an easy league," Bayless said. "And younger players can go through situations. His [issues] are obviously more glaring because of his status and where he was drafted."
Bayless was the 11th pick in the 2008 draft and Saric, 24, was the 12th pick in 2014, so they understand the high hopes teams generally have for lottery selections, but it's a whole other animal when you're taken number one.
Bayless never thought Fultz was having a woe-as-me attitude when he was with the team and tried to handle himself just like every other Sixer player.
"He wasn’t moping about his situation," Bayless said. "He came in and did his job. That’s what you can ask for, especially in his situation.”
Philadelphia 76ers' Markelle Fultz before an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)ASSOCIATED PRESS
And that leaves many wondering how Fultz's handlers are dealing with his situation and if they're causing more harm to Fultz than good. There's his agent Brothers but also his (former?) trainer and shooting coach Drew Hanlon, who reportedly spent the summer with Fultz and as of two weeks ago "are no longer working together or on speaking terms."
"It’s easy for outside influences to get involved in any player’s life," Bayless said, "and it’s up to the player to have the strong mindframe to focus on their situation and the team’s situation, and try to find what’s best to navigate that dynamic. Every player goes through that.”
Bayless said he doesn't really know anyone in Fultz's inner circle besides his mother, whom he called a wonderful person.
Not every player goes through totally rejiggered shooting motions, double-clutch free throws and a crisis of self-confidence like Fultz has endured, especially a situation played out so publicly in the media.
Philadelphia 76ers Markelle Fultz in action against Chicago Bulls Zach LaVine, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Philadelphia. The 76ers won 127-108. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)ASSOCIATED PRESS
"You just have to focus and not listen to what people say or the media say," Saric said, "because at the end of the day it’s easy for you guys [the media] to comment on what you see or what you don’t see.”
It certainly seems like Fultz will be on another team at some point and the high expectations for him won't be met in Philadelphia, but Bayless and Saric seemed to genuinely wish Fultz well. However, based on how things have gone, the only real question now seems to be how or when this Markelle Fultz saga in Philadelphia will finally come to its merciful conclusion.