5 reasons Markelle Fultz would be perfect for the Sixers

By Chris Stone | Jun 16, 2017

Dec 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) calls a play against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Nevada defeated Washington, 87-85. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) in action against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Markelle Fultz pairs well with Joel Embiid

The Philadelphia 76ers already have a couple of really good prospects on their roster, so it is worth examining how Markelle Fultz would fit with both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. We’ll start with the former and then talk about the latter next.

The obvious and immediate attraction to a Fultz-Embiid pairing is the possibility of playing the two in pick-and-rolls. The Washington guard was one of the best pick-and-roll ball-handlers in college basketball last season. Fultz averaged 1.042 points per possession (PPP) (88th percentile) on pick-and-rolls when factoring in both his buckets and assists, per Synergy Sports. He is a lethal scorer out of the sets as well, ranking in the 93rd percentile last season at 1.011 PPP.

Fultz would be paired with an elite roll man in Embiid. The 7-footer averaged 1.14 PPP (72nd percentile) on 3.2 possessions per game last season, per NBA.com. Embiid is a good enough shooter that his ability to pop to the 3-point line adds another wrinkle to the attack and would let Fultz go one-on-one with Embiid’s defender.

In a vacuum, this pairing is perfect, but it is worth noting that late in game there could be some spacing concerns with the Fultz-Embiid pick-and-roll given that one of the off ball players, Simmons, is unlikely to have the gravity as a shooter to keep opposing defenders honest.

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