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Ranking the Orlando Magic’s 5 most valuable trade assets for 2023/24

By Luke Duffy

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 01: Markelle Fultz #20, Gary Harris #14 and Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic speak against the Philadelphia 76ersat Wells Fargo Center on February 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 01: Markelle Fultz #20, Gary Harris #14 and Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic speak against the Philadelphia 76ersat Wells Fargo Center on February 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 28: Markelle Fultz of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 28: Markelle Fultz of the Orlando Magic brings the ball up court. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

Ranking the Orlando Magic’s 5 most valuable trade assets for 2024.

1. Markelle Fultz

The redemption arc of point guard Markelle Fultz was completed earlier this season. But topping this list is just the icing on the cake. Who would have ever thought we would be here, with Fultz now not only a better asset than former teammate Ben Simmons, but the best the Magic have.

They have no interest in giving up on him, and like most players on the Magic’s roster he is still so young at 25. He runs the show like nobody else on their team, and would be an upgrade over many of the starting floor generals in the league today. There is still such an amount of upside.

Much like Wendell Carter, Markelle Fultz’s play is not the only reason he is on this list. It is true he is becoming a defensive menace with how he reads the game, and the shooting continues to come on slowly, but surely.

The 31 percent he managed from deep on 1.5 attempts per game this season was a low number, but it was also a career high and showed a willingness to continue to improve in this important area. 14 points and 5.7 assists were also career highs.

But much like Chris Paul before him, lofty as that comparison is, to watch the Magic play is to know they are a better team when Fultz is on the court. He does so many things for the group that just cannot be quantified, and which many opposing teams would love to have on their side.

Next. 3 disastrous mistakes Magic must avoid making this summer. dark

Fultz is entering the final year of his current three-year, $50 million contract next season, but because of his history, the deal is partially guaranteed.

It seems highly likely the Magic will bring him back on another deal once this one is up, but there are other organizations out there who may also realize that Fultz is all the way back now, and he’s going to get a lot better in the coming seasons.