5 Players the Orlando Magic should develop, 4 they shouldn’t
Develop: Markelle Fultz
The number one overall pick in 2017 has his flaws, but he just keeps improving.
The Orlando Magic acquired Markelle Fultz in 2019 after two subpar, injury-filled seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers for a role player in Jonathon Simmons, one first-round pick and one second-rounder.
It was certainly a discount. Fultz has struggled to stay healthy, but he is coming off the best season of his young career.
The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 14.0 points, 5.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in 29.6 minutes per game as he shot 51.4 percent from the field and 78.3 percent from the free throw line.
Fultz may never be a superstar, but the 25-year-old is a solid starting point guard with upside. He must stay healthy and keep improving, but there is plenty for the Magic to work with moving forward.
Fultz shot 31.0 percent from 3-point range last season, which was a career-high. He continues to work on his jumper. It may never even be league-average, but getting the opposition to respect him out there would be massive.
The Orlando Magic should continue to develop Markelle Fultz and the rest of their young core. Something special could be brewing if they can keep improving. Head coach Jamahl Mosley is known for developing talent. He has done well thus far, so stay tuned to see how they fare moving forward.