Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Magic PG Markelle Fultz Thankful for Orlando 'Open Arms'
ORLANDO - It's been a little over four years since the Orlando Magic took a gamble and traded for former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz.
Fultz played just 33 games across two seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers before a trade to the Magic turned his career upside down. But now, it appears Orlando is reaping the benefits of that trade.
After struggling to fit in with the Sixers, Fultz has built a new home with the Magic.
"They let you be who you are," Fultz said on the "Knuckleheads" Podcast. "And like it was just dope, you know, and also coming here and being able to help the team win and just do certain things, that makes it even better ... Just building the love that I have here and the open arms and how supportive everybody is here is really, really dope."
After a successful first full season with the Magic in 2019-20 where he played in all 72 games, Fultz played in just 26 games over the next two seasons and Orlando started to plummet in the standings.
This past season, a finally healthy Fultz played 60 games for the Magic and averaged a career-high 14 points, 5.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds as Orlando improved its record by 12 wins.
When Fultz plays, the Magic is better, and the fans show their support. It's part of what helps motivate Fultz to get the team to the next level.
"To see the crowd just continue to build, even with us getting beat, and like the pushes that we're making now, it's fun and it makes you wanna play even harder to see the city go crazy," Fultz said.
Should Fultz continue to improve and the Magic remains on its current trajectory, it won't be long until the city goes crazy.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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