NBA 2024 Free Agency: Where Does Magic's Markelle Fultz Rank?

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz is an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season.

One of the Orlando Magic's leaders and longest-tenured player on the roster is knocking on the door of free agency. 

Orlando guard Markelle Fultz is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season. Bleacher Report ranked the top 30 impending free agents, and the former No. 1 overall pick was ranked No. 27. 

"With a 6'9" wingspan and solid defensive instincts, Fultz can frustrate opposing guards at the point of attack or make quick rotations to stymie offensive sets," Bleacher Report writes. "He's also a solid playmaker who has averaged 5.4 assists since he joined the Orlando Magic ahead of the 2019 trade deadline. His shiftiness and improved shot selection have made him a more effective weapon around the rim in recent years, too.

The seventh-year guard was ranked ahead of Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook (No. 28), but among the players ahead of Fultz was fellow Magic guard Cole Anthony (No. 24), who will be a restricted free agent. 

Anthony being a restricted free agent means Orlando can either agree to a new contract with the guard or match an offer sheet from another team to retain him under those terms. 

Fultz is coming off the best year of his career in 2023, averaging career-highs in points (14), rebounds (3.9), assists (5.7) and minutes played per game (29.6). He also played in 60 games, the second-most games of his career.

Fultz, who is 25 years old, is an integral part of the Magic and may only be scratching the surface. Orlando was 5-17 in games he didn't play in last season. 

Even with the depth Orlando has accumulated at guard, Fultz's improvement in 2023 and leadership for a young and ascending roster will make him a coveted player if he hits free agency. 

If Orlando wants to continue its upward trajectory, it'd be wise to re-sign Fultz before the season compared to free agency when his play and other teams can drive up his price. 

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