Ahead of the Season, Former NBA No. 1 Pick Remains in Free Agency

Markelle Fultz (Orlando Magic)

With the NBA season rapidly approaching, most teams have finalized their rosters and established their strategies for the upcoming year. However, numerous free agents are still on the market, struggling to find new contracts with any team.

Markelle Fultz is one famous free agent still seeking an NBA opportunity, despite being the first overall pick in the 2017 draft. As highlighted by NBACentral, Fultz remains without a team, and time is running out for him to secure a contract.

After two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, Fultz joined the Orlando Magic, where he faced challenges in establishing himself as a key player (Orlando Magic)

This should ideally be a peak moment in Fultz’s career, yet circumstances have not aligned favorably for the 26-year-old player. Since entering the league in 2017, he has faced recurring injuries that have hindered his progress.

Throughout his career, Fultz has only played in 234 games; his rookie season was particularly challenging, as he participated in just 14 games, averaging 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.

After spending two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, Fultz joined the Orlando Magic, where he experienced slightly better fortune but still struggled to emerge as a key player for the franchise.

Due to his injuries and inconsistency when fit, Fultz currently faces a very limited market for potential teams. Interest in signing him appears low, with no franchises showing a strong desire to bring him on board.

Nevertheless, there remains a glimmer of hope for Fultz, as he could still negotiate a contract, albeit not a lucrative one. The level of interest in Fultz is quite minimal, and any team that signs him likely won’t have high expectations.

However, if he can manage to stay healthy and outperform expectations, Fultz might have an opportunity to revitalize his career and demonstrate that he still possesses the skills needed to succeed.