Did the Philadelphia 76ers really give up the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, plus another future first, for the right to select Markelle Fultz first overall and bring him off the bench?
Apparently, yes.
Per NBA Sports Philadelphia’s Jessica Camerato:
Brown's plan is for Fultz to come off the bench to start the season. Pointed to the fact Fultz didn't played much in preseason.
— Jessica Camerato (@JessicaCamerato) October 15, 2017
The move is bizarre, given Fultz’s draft-day status. It is not, however, indefensible.
Markelle logged only 47 minutes during the preseason and is in the midst, it seems, of reworking his shooting form. Coming off the bench helps him match up against inferior competition, which might shorten the learning curve or grace period.
Plus, logistically, this makes sense. Ben Simmons is basically a point guard and has yet to prove he can knock down jumpers on a regular basis. Staggering his and Fultz’s minutes makes for an easier on-ball dynamic, while ensuring the Sixers are never without one first-rate distributor in the game.
By no means is this a long-term blueprint. Fultz and Simmons will have to start together, and play heavy minutes together, sooner rather than later. For now, though, the Sixers may be doing both a favor.
