The Phoenix Suns are considered a top destination for Markelle Fultz, and his low price and potential fit should have the team intrigued.
According to a piece from Liberty Ballers, the Phoenix Suns are a top potential landing spot for Markelle Fultz. Other teams listed as potential good fits are the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks. The report is from Dave Early (@BehindCurve on Twitter), who has previously written about Mikal Bridges‘ shot for Valley of the Suns.
Fultz was the number one pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, but he’s been met with a mysterious shoulder injury and shooting woes ever since. The 20 year old is currently missing time with a sore wrist, and he met with a shoulder specialist on Monday. It seems possible that his last game with the Philadelphia 76ers has already been played.
The Suns as a top destination is likely speculation from Fultz’s camp rather than a sign that any kind of deal is currently in the works. Interest in the Suns can be traced back to this summer’s draft success and rookie coach Igor Kokoskov’s good reputation around the league.
Fultz to the Suns makes plenty of sense. If his shot ever comes around, he’d be a perfect fit in the Suns lineup. But even if it doesn’t, the Suns have the shooting to make it less of an issue. Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, and T.J. Warren are all young players who can shoot, and Deandre Ayton is a lob threat at the rim, making him a great fit with Fultz, who loves to drive and is always looking to pass.
The Suns are also likely a better situation for Fultz than the Sixers. The Sixers are in win now mode, whereas the Suns are at the bottom of the Western Conference and have the luxury of allowing Fultz to develop. In Philadelphia, Fultz has been a bad fit with Ben Simmons, another guard who doesn’t shoot. Phoenix is also considered to have one of the best medical staffs in the NBA, which should attract Fultz.
The Phoenix Suns need for a point guard is no secret. After starting the year with Isaiah Canaan as the starting point guard, they seem to be reluctantly transitioning to Devin Booker at the point. They haven’t given significant minutes to rookie second round picks Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton.
With Fultz on the roster, the Suns would have the option of moving Booker back to shooting guard, which many see as his best long term fit. If not, Fultz could be the first point guard off the bench. The opportunity for regular playing time makes the Suns a good spot for Fultz to figure out his issues.
Various reports have stated both Fultz and the 76ers are ready to move on from each other. Because of that, he’s unlikely to cost too much in a trade, making him a potential low risk / high reward investment. The Suns would still have to outbid other teams, but they have pieces that could draw the Sixers interest, including Milwaukee’s first round pick and Trevor Ariza’s expiring contract.
A trade centered around Fultz, Ariza, and the Milwaukee pick would benefit both teams. The Suns would get a point guard prospect, and the Sixers would pick up a veteran wing and a late first round pick they could use in a future trade. If the two teams aren’t already in contact, the Suns should definitely reach out to the 76ers to inquire about Markelle Fultz.