Report: The Magic Have Traded For Markelle Fultz


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The Markelle Fultz era in Philadelphia has reached its conclusion. The Sixers, which have been active in the lead-up to the trade deadline, have shipped the former No. 1 overall pick to the Orlando Magic in exchange for a package including one player and a pair of draft picks. The initial word of Fultz being traded came via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Soon after, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer came through with the package: Jonathon Simmons, a first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and a second-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The package was confirmed soon after by Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Fultz has not appeared in a game for the Sixers since November, as he’s sat out working to rehabilitate his recently-diagnosed thoracic outlet syndrome. There had, additionally, been rumblings that he was very much available if the price reached Philadelphia’s standards. During his sophomore campaign in the league, the former University of Washington standout averaged 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 22.5 minutes per game.

It’s a really sad way for Fultz’s tenure in Philly to end, but hopefully the Magic are the kind of low-pressure environment that gives him a chance to tap into his copious amounts of potential. As for the Sixers, getting a pair of picks — one being a first-round selection — is a good haul, while Simmons gives them some depth on the wings. Orlando had been a widely-speculated trade partner for Fultz, and per Keith Smith of The Athletic, decided to figure out a deal that did not include guard Terrance Ross.

As for the first-round pick, it does have some significance to the Sixers, as it used to belong to the team.

Simmons has appeared in 41 games this season, averaging 6.9 points in 20.6 minutes a night.