Former NBA 1st Overall Pick Will Be A Free Agent

Markelle Fultz, who was the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, will be a free agent this summer.

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Markelle Fultz (Washington) walks off stage after being introduced as the number one overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Markelle Fultz is coming off his seventh season in the NBA and his fifth playing for the Orlando Magic.

He finished the year with averages of 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 47.2% from the field and 22.2% from the three-point range in 43 games.

Fultz was also in the final season of a three-year, $50 million contract, so he will now be a free agent who is available to sign with any team in the league.

Markelle Fultz pic.twitter.com/dxzh073zYd

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) May 4, 2024

Fultz was initially the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Washington.

He was drafted ahead of Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, De'Aaron Fox and other good players.

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Markelle Fultz (Washington) is interviewed after being selected as the number one overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

That said, Fultz has still become a reliable role player.

At 26, he is just entering the prime of his career and could be a good addition to a contending team's bench.

In addition, a return to Orlando would also make sense.

Apr 12, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Over his seven seasons with the 76ers and Magic, Fultz has carer averages of 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 47.2% from the field and 27.4% from the three-point range in 234 regular season games.

He has also appeared in 15 NBA playoff games (five starts).

👀 Markelle Fultz! pic.twitter.com/rLBvP5v6Qf

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 11, 2020

As for the Magic, they are coming off an impressive season.

They finished the year as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 47-35 record and made the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2020.

However, they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round (in seven games).