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Who is the next Orlando Magic All-Star?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Markelle Fultz and Aaron Gordon are part of a future for the Orlando Magic that includes no clear All-Star. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)
Markelle Fultz and Aaron Gordon are part of a future for the Orlando Magic that includes no clear All-Star. (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images) /
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Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic, Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
After two frustrating seasons to start his career, Markelle Fultz has established himself as a clear part of the Orlando Magic’s future. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. Markelle Fultz

Markelle Fultz took the court at All-Star Weekend this year as a supporting player. In a puffy jacket — it is cold in Chicago if you have not heard — he threw the ball off the side of the backboard to set up Aaron Gordon’s one-handed 360 dunk, one of the best of the night.

It was an incredible play. But Markelle Fultz wants to be back there one day playing on Sunday.

It still seems like it is far away. . . but not that far away.

Fultz has been one of the most incredible stories in the league this year. After two years dealing with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and barely playing — getting labeled a bust by a voracious Philadelphia media — Fultz is playing his rookie year and proving he has top overall talent.

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    • He is averaging 11.9 points per game on a 48.9-percent effective field goal percentage, no small feat considering his shooting troubles his first two years in the league. He is averaging 5.0 assists per game and 1.3 steals per game for good measure.

    If anything, Magic fans want the team to run more offense through Fultz. They want coach Steve Clifford to trust him to be the primary playmaker, helping put all the other players on the team in a better spot for their skills and talent.

    Orlando is not likely changing its offense that drastically this season. Markelle Fultz will still run a lot of pick and rolls and they will still trust Evan Fournier to run the offense for extended periods. That has to change in the offseason. The Magic have to take some of the reigns off Fultz.

    And that is the part that is really scary for the Magic and their potential.

    Fultz will get his first fully healthy NBA summer this year. That will be a big boost to him. He has gained a lot of confidence through the course of this season. Magic fans are rightly very excited about his contributions this year.

    He is probably not Rookie of the Year-level (this is essentially his rookie year). But Fultz is more than a quality starter at this point. And he has plenty of room to grow.

    It would not be surprising if Fultz flirts with an All-Star appearance in the near future. But there is still work to get there seriously.