Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford remains unsure when Markelle Fultz will be ready to play again.
Clifford revealed that Fultz is still not ready to play five-on-five scrimmages. The Magic took a gamble on the 21-year-old when they pulled off a trade before the trade deadline in February. In the said deal, Orlando gave up Jonathan Simmons, a top-20 protected 2020 first-round pick and a future second-round pick.
Clifford says Markelle Fultz is still not ready for 5-on-5. Man.
— Michael Gallagher (@MikeSGallagher) July 6, 2019
Fultz was selected first overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2017 NBA Draft, but he has yet to make an impact in the league. In his first two seasons with the Sixers, he only played in 33 games and averaged 7.7 points and 3.4 rebounds.
The former Washington standout has yet to play a single game for Orlando since the trade. He is still trying to get his rhythm back after suffering from shoulder injury and thoracic outlet syndrome. Magic general manager John Hammond recently said on 96.9 The Game that they still have no idea when Fultz will make his Magic debut.
“It’s just a matter of him just continuing to get more comfortable, continuing for him to get himself in a position where he’s ready to step on the floor and help us,” Hammond said of Fultz. “And look, we have no idea when that’s going to be. We’re hoping much, much sooner than later. But once again, we’re trying to do this the best we can.”
Fultz last appeared in an NBA game on November 20 when he went scoreless in seven minutes against the Phoenix Suns.
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