Should Magic Re-Sign Markelle Fultz?

The Orlando Magic have a contract decision to make regarding Markelle Fultz.

Jeremy Brener | May 12, 2024

May 5, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) drives to the basket / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO — Orlando Magic point guard Markelle Fultz may have played his last game with the franchise in last week's Game 7 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Fultz, who has been with the Magic since 2019, is a free agent this summer looking for a new contract.

"One of Orlando's big decisions will involve 2017 first overall pick Markelle Fultz, who was acquired in 2019. Fultz has never quite lived up to his draft status, and he settled into a reserve role after battling a knee injury earlier in the season," Bleacher Report writes. "Fultz has flashed promise at times, but the 25-year-old probably won't be a big offseason priority. He earned a base salary of $17 million this past season, and while the injury played a role, he simply didn't provide appropriate value."

Fultz is in a tricky situation. If he comes back, it will certainly be on a smaller deal than what he was playing on this past season. However, his impact goes beyond the box score. Fultz was one of 12 nominees for the NBA's Teammate of the Year award, and he's beloved by the organization. Saying goodbye to him, no matter when it comes, won't be easy.

The Magic drafted Anthony Black with the No. 6 overall pick this past season, and he could end up being Fultz's long-term replacement. Black was a key part of the Magic's rotation when Fultz was sidelined earlier in the year.

However, Fultz brings massive value to the Magic as someone who knows, understands and appreciates the culture in Orlando. He can carry out Jamahl Mosley's vision and be a positive impact no matter his role. The Magic would likely be interested in a Fultz return if he's willing to take a salary reduction.

That being said, if Fultz wants more money, he probably won't be getting it from the Magic, so the former top pick must ask himself what he is seeking.

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Published May 12, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.