Fansided

NBA Trade Deadline 2019: 5 trades to save Markelle Fultz

By Josh Ejnes

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)
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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 19: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 131-123. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 19: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 19, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Cavaliers 131-123. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

If there’s a team in the league that can afford to take a risk on a player like Fultz right now, it’s the Cavs.  The second Lebronless era in Cleveland has not started well, and the Cavs front office has been left picking up the pieces of a weirdly constructed team.

The Cavs wouldn’t be the easiest place for Fultz to just show up and play at right now, but it is the team that would give him the most potential to become a superstar.

If Fultz is able to become the great number one overall pick level player that many thought he was he’d easily be able to take over as the Cavs number one guy, a luxury not really afforded to him anywhere else (assuming that Kevin Love is in his decline.)

Playing for the Cavs would also give Fultz an opportunity to be positionally versatile; the team doesn’t have anything to lose, and if they trade for Fultz developing him alongside should be their number one goal.

Collin Sexton is probably the Cavs point guard of the future, but it wouldn’t be ludicrous to see him play a little shooting guard if Fultz starts to find his assist groove again; Sexton shot 78 percent on free throws in college, so he certainly has the potential to be a shooter if given the chance.

Of course, if Fultz gets his shot back you don’t have to worry about that, and you can slot him back in at shooting guard with Sexton running the offense; he also could be an intriguing option as an undersized three. If Fultz prospers he can easily find himself in a high usage starting role; he doesn’t really need to worry too much about getting stuck behind Dellavedova or Cedi Osman.

JR Smith and Jordan Clarkson are two players who the Sixers could potentially want; both have playoff experience and both could bring the team some quality shooting off the bench. The issue is that neither has an expiring contract, so Philly would likely want to expire other options before taking them on into next year.