By james art Markelle Fultz has yet to be picked up by a team despite the start of the 2024-25 season.
The 2017 first overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers spent two seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 2019. He then spent five seasons with Orlando developing into a solid backup point guard, but the Magic decided to move on in a different direction, allowing Fultz to enter free agency.
Fultz hasn’t shown much interest in free agency despite his improvement in Orlando. He struggled to stay on the court, playing in 60 or more games just twice over the course of his seven NBA seasons. He also struggles to shoot the ball at a high percentage, but is still somewhat of a reliable scorer inside.
What he lacks in offense, he makes up for in defense. He averaged 1.0 steals in 43 games with the Magic last season and averaged 1.2 steals per game his entire career.
As the new season begins, there are plenty of teams that could use Fultz on their roster to add depth to their backcourt. One of those teams is the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers kept their roster together in the offseason despite the many trade rumors. Those rumors include the Cavs trading for Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen. Instead, they signed Mitchell to an extension and ended all trade talks surrounding Garland and Allen.
With Mitchell and Garland in the backfield, their guard depth could be an issue. The only other guard in their rotation is Caris LeVert, who has dealt with injury issues throughout his career. Garland also had injury issues, playing in more than 60 games just twice in his five NBA seasons.
By signing Fultz, the Cavaliers will improve their depth while adding a true backup point guard to their roster. While Fultz has struggled offensively throughout his career, he won’t be required to be the primary scorer in Cleveland thanks to Mitchell, Garland, Allen and Evan Mobley. He would also add another great defender to a roster full of solid defenders.
This signing may not make the Cavaliers the team to beat in the East, but it will improve their depth, especially if Garland and LeVert miss time.
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