NBA Trade Deadline 2019: 5 trades to save Markelle Fultz

By Josh Ejnes | Feb 6, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 18: Head coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to Markelle Fultz #20 in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 127-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 28: Justise Winslow #20 of the Miami Heat in action against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 28, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

5. Miami Heat

The Dwayne Wade farewell tour has been the focus of a lot of Heat coverage lately, but don’t let that distract you from the fact that they’re a team with fringe playoff potential. With a few more pieces the Heat could surprise some people, and it’s rumored that they’re interested in Fultz.

Implications for this season aside the main reason that Fultz is an interesting player to the Heat is his age. Outside of Justise Winslow and Bam Adebayo, the Heat don’t have many promising players under 25, and the future of the team isn’t entirely clear.

For the past few years, this uncertainty has been fine with the Heat. They somehow always manage to be playoff contenders even when it seems like they’ve lost too much talent from a season prior, but that can only last so long.

Fultz doesn’t bring certainty in the way that say, trading for a Marvin Bagley might, but he still is a player with a definite shot at producing.

One reason Fultz would likely be happy to find his way to Miami is their training staff. Heat trainers are well known for their ability to get their players into elite shape, something made clear last year after Dwayne Wade quickly toned up upon his return to the team.

Fultz needs some serious work done, especially with how much time he’s missed, and if there’s any staff that can help him get where he needs to be it’s the Heats’.

One trade that would work for the teams would be moving the pair of Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder along with some future picks for Fultz. The Sixers would get some veteran help heading into the end of the season, and both contracts are expiring so it wouldn’t affect their long term plans.