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.
Orlando is trading for Markelle Fultz, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
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.
The Magic are sending Jonathon Simmons, a Thunder first and Cavs second to the Sixers for Fultz, per source. https://t.co/OaVTy5LyIO
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 7, 2019
The Magic are sending Jonathan Simmons, a first-round and a second-round pick to the Sixers, per sources. https://t.co/f724l2eSVS
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
Orlando is sending Jonathon Simmons, OKC first-round pick, and Cleveland second-round pick for Fultz. https://t.co/gW23j7DAIU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2019
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.
Sources: The Orlando Magic had opportunity to move Terrence Ross to Philadelphia vs Jonathon Simmons, but Orlando chose to keep Ross and add in the future OKC 1st instead. The Magic will continue to push for a playoff spot this season by keeping Ross and All-Star Nikola Vucevic.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 7, 2019
As for the first-round pick, it does have some significance to the Sixers, as it used to belong to the team.
This would be a 2020 first-round pick from the Thunder. It is top-20 protected, and becomes 2022 and 2023 2nd round picks if it does not convey. https://t.co/CIlNOIHSIt
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 7, 2019
This is the first-round pick the Sixers sent to Orlando for the right to draft Anzejs Pasecniks in the 2017 draft.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 7, 2019
Simmons has appeared in 41 games this season, averaging 6.9 points in 20.6 minutes a night.
