A report surfaced Monday that the Cleveland Cavaliers have expressed interest in acquiring Philadelphia 76ers point guard Markelle Fultz.
Sam Amico reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers have inquired about acquiring the former Number 1 overall pick. Acquiring Markelle Fultz is indeed an interesting proposition. Fultz has failed to live up to the expectations of being selected at the top of last year’s draft. Additionally Cleveland just draft Collin Sexton, their current starting point guard.
It does not appear that Fultz is long for Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Fultz and his representatives do not appear to be on the same page and many feel that he will not return to the court in a 76ers uniform. Fultz needs a change of scenery. A change of scenery that could be Cleveland.
Currently Cleveland has Sexton as their starting point guard with Jordan Clarkson coming off the bench. Clarkson is more of a scoring guard, but is filling in at point guard while George Hill is injured. Hill was the starter, but Sexton appears to have taken control of that job. If the Cavaliers were to acquire Fultz it would place Hill on the outside looking in for playing time. However he would still have an important role. As a mentor to both Sexton and Fultz. Currently Fultz is in need of just that and Hill could certainly provide that.
Why Cleveland could work for Markelle Fultz
Markelle Fultz definitely has some physical and mental issues. It can be seen in his shooting motion which seemingly changes from game to game. His mysterious shoulder injury and the rehabilitation process have been criticized every step of the way. Lengthy absences have not helped the second-year player and many believe the situation in Philadelphia is not helping.
Leaving a team with championship expectations in Philadelphia and coming to a team without playoff hopes may help Fultz. Every step Fultz takes is judged nearly instantly for a ball club attempting to make a deep playoff run. Leaving the 76ers could allow Fultz to get physically and mentally healthy to continue his NBA career.
What could the Cleveland Cavaliers offer for Markelle Fultz?
Former Philadelphia 76er Kyle Korver has drawn interest from around the league. Korver appears to want out of Cleveland and going to a playoff team in Philadelphia could be exactly what he wants. The 76ers lost two perimeter scoring threats in Dario Saric and Robert Covington in the Jimmy Butler trade. Bringing Korver back to Philadelphia could certainly help their outside shooting woes. Philadelphia currently is in the bottom half of the league in regards to three-point shooting and losing Saric and Covington will only make it worse.
Another player that could interest Philadelphia is J.R. Smith. Smith and the Cavaliers are working on facilitating a trade. With Philadelphia desperate for outside shooting perhaps a package of Korver and Smith could entice the 76ers to move Fultz and possibly one other player. There is also the possibility of involving draft picks of some sort.
Philadelphia needs to acquire outside shooting. Cleveland has two players they can offer for the price of a player that does not appear to be in their long term plans. The Cavaliers can hopefully work with Fultz and get him playing at a level most expected him to be at. A deal between the teams benefits all involved. All it needs is to happen.
