Markelle Fultz is still searching for his shot. The Magic are taking theirs.
The 76ers are giving up on the 2017 No. 1-overall pick, sending him to Orlando in exchange for shooting guard Jonathon Simmons, a first-round pick (via the Thunder) and a second-round pick, ESPN reported.
Fultz has not played since his agent announced, on Nov. 20, that he would be out indefinitely to seek help for his ailing shoulder, and he was soon diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome. It was finally a tangible answer for what had gone wrong with the former Washington star’s shot, which disappeared upon his entering the NBA. He had developed a hitch in his form, as onlookers wondered whether it was physical or mental.
The Magic will gamble on the point guard’s talent that perhaps has a better chance of resurfacing on a rebuilding team in a smaller media market. Simmons, who was averaging 6.9 points and 2.3 assists in 20 minutes this season, figures to be a useful player off the bench for Philadelphia.