The Philadelphia 76ers traded former first overall pick Markelle Fultz to the Orlando Magic on deadline day, ending a 20-month stint with the franchise that never really got the chance to see him play at full strength despite his potential.
The Magic sent forward Jonathon Simmons, a 2019 second round pick and a protected 2020 first round pick in the trade for Markelle Fultz.
Sixers coach Brett Brown admitted that he was watching TV when he saw the Fultz trade flash in his screen.
#Sixers coach Brett Brown on the @MarkelleF trade to the #OrlandoMagic. pic.twitter.com/G2MngMixWg
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 8, 2019
“I'd be lying if I didn't feel sad. There were two emotions I had; sad personally, selfishly I suppose, that I never really felt like I got a chance to coach him,” Brett Brown said, per Keith Pompey of Philly Inquirer.
“I never really felt like the city got a chance to see him. I felt sad for that. And I was pleased for him that, you know, he has a new start, a fresh start, another opportunity.”
Markelle Fultz was drafted first overall by Philly in 2017, but a series of injuries sidelined him for most of his rookie year. He returned this season, hoping for a chance to bounce back; however, in November last year, he was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome — a condition that affects the nerves between the neck and shoulder.
The Sixers obviously have a bright future ahead of them, as Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are expected to lead the franchise over the next decade. Of course, they envisioned Fultz to be a part of their long-term success, but his constant setbacks made him expendable.
To simply put it, Philly no longer wanted to wait for Fultz.
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