The Phoenix Suns have shown interest in Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz after he's been reportedly cast out of the Sixers' future plans, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Cleveland Cavaliers had shown prior interest in acquiring Fultz, but after trading Kyle Korver to the Utah Jazz for Alec Burks and two future second-round picks, any interest that was there has likely dissolved.
The Sixers could have used Korver as another source of outside shooting, while bringing a fan favorite back to the Wells Fargo Center in the former Sixer.
The main thing the Suns and other potential trade partner want out of a trade for Fultz is simple — the truth.
There's been many mixed signals coming from the City of Brotherly Love, from injury misdiagnosis to verbal take-backs from Fultz' agent Raymond Brothers and former trainer Drew Hanlen — two people interlaced in his recovery process and the damage control that has stemmed from it.
“In other words, potential 76ers trade partners don't want Fultz saying that his right shoulder and wrist are bothering him if he actually has a mental block that's hindering his shooting,” a source told Pompey.
The Suns could be the ideal move for Fultz, as he would be moving back to the West Coast (originally from the state of Washington) and be the Western Conference equivalent of the Cavs, another bottom-dwelling team with hopes to grow around its youth.
Phoenix also knows they could potentially miss on signing veteran Trevor Ariza, who is making $15 million this season on a one-year deal — though they would need to package another $3 million, perhaps one like Troy Daniels' $3.3 million expiring contract to match Fultz $20 million over this year and the next.
The Suns won't have to sign him to a fourth-year option if they don't see enough progress, making this a potentially worthwhile gamble, netting the last two No. 1 picks under one roster.
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