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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TORONTO, CANADA – NOVEMBER 9: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks against the Toronto Raptors on November 9, 2017 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. New Orleans Pelicans

Things are out of control in New Orleans right now; the Sixers certainly aren’t going to get Anthony Davis in a Fultz trade, but there still are some great players on the table that they should pursue.

Fultz could really benefit from a trade to New Orleans, and it’s hard to think of a better player for him to learn from than Jrue Holiday. Holiday looks to be the new face of the Pelicans after AD’s exit, and the type of athletic two-way guard play he exhibits is exactly what Fultz should try to emulate.

Fultz’s biggest issues in the league have mostly been related to his regressed jump shot, so becoming more defensively minded would help him make up for what he hasn’t been able to bring from the field. Like Holiday he stacks up pretty well size-wise against most guards.

Another benefit of Fultz joining the Pelicans would be the opportunity to work with coach Alvin Gentry.

Gentry is a respected coach in the league, and he was an integral part of the staff that saw the Warriors win the first championship of their current dynasty. After working with the Splash Brothers it’s fair to say he knows a thing or two about shooters.

Gentry won’t be able to wave a magic wand and fix Fultz’s jacked up shot just because he knows Steph, but he can bring insights to Fultz that he hasn’t been exposed to; whatever is going on in Philly clearly isn’t working for him, so new perspective will certainly be good.

The Pelicans are trying to move Nikola Mirotic right now, and he’d be a great fit for a Sixers team that could use more shooting depth, spreading the floor out for Simmons and Embiid.