The Decision on Fultz?

[eyriq]

It seems that we are pretty split on Fultz being our starter vs not, with the advantage resting with the nots. If we were a front office we'd likely use the rest of the season to evaluate him and Suggs, take long hard looks at Nick Smith Jr & Cason Wallace in the draft, and work on a discount extension or explore possible trades.

[Skybox]

It seems that we are pretty split on Fultz being our starter vs not, with the advantage resting with the nots. If we were a front office we'd likely use the rest of the season to evaluate him and Suggs, take long hard looks at Nick Smith Jr & Cason Wallace in the draft, and work on a discount extension or explore possible trades.

he's a starter...just not an exceptional one.

to be fair...I like him and I'm not desperately focused on replacing him. But we need an explosive scorer in our backcourt...either position would be fine. The modern PG is commonly a scorer but if we had a 20+ ppg SG who could spread the floor reliably, Fultz could work. His defense is much improved and I love the way he can maneuver through traffic. He just needs to keep the D improving to the point of exceptional and find a way to use his physical drives to draw more free throws (and hope we don't get #2 in the draft).

[Audi]

Weird thread. I didn't realize there was a decision to make on Fultz outside of 'wait until we find something better'. Most pressing decision is finding a floor spacing SG that moves well off ball.

[Bergmaniac]

If all we care is size, why not just play someone like Okeke instead who has an actual forward size and is a better defender? Having a big PG is great when he can do at least decently the most important things for a PGs in the modern NBA - shoot 3s, playmake and get to the line. But Fultz is atrocious at two of these things and decent at best in the halfcourt at playmaking. There is a reason pretty much every other team is putting a premium on shooting for this position and it's not because they are all clueless.

And he just doesn't fit with Paolo and Franz on offense. They are forwards with good ballhandling skills whose main strength offensively is driving and getting to the line. So they need guards who can space the floor. And they prefer slower pace while Fultz is much better when we play faster.

[Furinkazan]

He can gtfo but after we get rid of Cole the Brick frist or draft a real star PG.
If we cant get anybody better we are stuck with him.
At this point to me he is Elfrid Payton part 2.0 and we are the only team he would start on.Same was with Payton.I really was hoping for more from him and I think he is capable of being much better if he shown any agresiveness... but mostly its like he isnt even interested.Like he is happy with his 11 pts 5as a game.Thats good for being a backup or arguably a worst starting pg in the league.
Ideally Id keep him as bench player.But I dont see any pg stars coming our way.

I saw somebody tried to fish on GB in trade thread...so I see...most people have him as a negative value...as his contracty is too rich for being a backup...but he isnt anything special as starter either at least he isnt any or much of an upgrade for most of the teams ..at starter... so trading him...somehow I dont see any value going back our way

[VFX]

He can gtfo but after we get rid of Cole the Brick frist or draft a real star PG.
If we cant get anybody better we are stuck with him.
At this point to me he is Elfrid Payton part 2.0 and we are the only team he would start on.Same was with Payton.I really was hoping for more from him and I think he is capable of being much better if he shown any agresiveness... but mostly its like he isnt even interested.Like he is happy with his 11 pts 5as a game.Thats good for being a backup or arguably a worst starting pg in the league.
Ideally Id keep him as bench player.But I dont see any pg stars coming our way.

I saw somebody tried to fish on GB in trade thread...so I see...most people have him as a negative value...as his contracty is too rich for being a backup...but he isnt anything special as starter either at least he isnt any or much of an upgrade for most of the teams ..at starter... so trading him...somehow I dont see any value going back our way

I agree.

Yes, that was me.

[eyriq]

He can gtfo but after we get rid of Cole the Brick frist or draft a real star PG.
If we cant get anybody better we are stuck with him.
At this point to me he is Elfrid Payton part 2.0 and we are the only team he would start on.Same was with Payton.I really was hoping for more from him and I think he is capable of being much better if he shown any agresiveness... but mostly its like he isnt even interested.Like he is happy with his 11 pts 5as a game.Thats good for being a backup or arguably a worst starting pg in the league.
Ideally Id keep him as bench player.But I dont see any pg stars coming our way.

I saw somebody tried to fish on GB in trade thread...so I see...most people have him as a negative value...as his contracty is too rich for being a backup...but he isnt anything special as starter either at least he isnt any or much of an upgrade for most of the teams ..at starter... so trading him...somehow I dont see any value going back our way

I agree.

Yes, that was me.

Good trade thread, negative trade value is on point. Fultz needs to rehabilitate that trade value.

[jezzerinho]

The list of alternatives is short.

We want vet savvy, floor general, off ball contribution and defence. We need a SG too, who brings consistent shooting, rebounding and perimeter D. Ideally one of the two would be above average athletically, as we're a bit pedestrian.

[eyriq]

Weird thread. I didn't realize there was a decision to make on Fultz outside of 'wait until we find something better'. Most pressing decision is finding a floor spacing SG that moves well off ball.

The team is fun again with Paolo giving fans hope, and that brings intrigue into all the little nuances of team building. I don't know if it's just me or what but the forum has gotten a lot smarter since I used to post here, so I've found that personally satisfying which also makes these kind of discussions all the more fun. Really interesting takes left and right. A testament to the current crop of mods I think.

[jezzerinho]

Weird thread. I didn't realize there was a decision to make on Fultz outside of 'wait until we find something better'. Most pressing decision is finding a floor spacing SG that moves well off ball.

I think what many are saying is "why don't we find something better now?". No reason we can't address SG also.

Personally, I'd trade for a PG now. I'd draft a PG with one of the two picks (current personal preference is Amen), but getting the draftee up to speed is a 2-year process, so your vet needs to run the show for now. At SG, we can be more opportunistic, he could come from trades, FA or the draft.

[anothermagicfan]

To decide on fultz. Ok I'll concede that the modern NBA is needing a playmaking 3 pt shooter from the pg position. I'll add that this year fultz hasn't been much of a playmaker. But he was when he returned at the end of last season????

So to evaluate his play this season from last season takes some context. He played limited minutes with fluctuating casts towards the end of last year and was pretty impressive on the offensive end given the newness of the players he played with. It was mostly backup minutes with a tanking G league lineup.

This season he's been the starter since he's been back and similarly had the newness of players to get used to. The primary difference is what the team and organization are trying to evaluate. They know fultz can create and make his teammates better. He WILL find them if they're open. What they're more interested in is seeing how the offense flows through PB. And Franz. That's what's being evaluated right now. Fultz is bringing the ball up and handing it off to see what we got with the other guys. As for fultzs 3 pt shot. His percentage is actually really good right now. That would indicate he's also good with his shot selection.

As for the value. Exactly who are you going to replace fultz with that's better than him right now?

As for suggs and Cole. They both display upsides and glaring weaknesses. Suggs is a hell of a defender, a bit reckless and out of control on offense but does seem to be a little more relaxed as he gets some experience under his belt.
Cole on the other hand has never played defense a single possession of his NBA career. He's streaky on offense. Good if the shots falling and an unproductive ball hog if it's not.

People here massively misconstrue the importance of defense vs offense. So let me ask this question- how many players out of 5 need to score a basket to score a basket? Its not a trick question the answer is 1 but it's easier with help. Ok so follow up question -how many player out of 5 have to defend well to regain possession of the ball without giving up a basket? It's also not a trick question. It takes all 5 players. And fultzs defense is better than people like to give him credit for.

Moral of the story is fultz isn't the problem in Orlando. He should absolutely be our starting point guard of the future.

[MasterGMer]

I can see Fultz being our starting PG for the near future. His shooting % this year actually has been very good. He shot 80% against the Kings with 8 out of 10 FGA.

He needs to get his 3 pt shooting back. But he has been avoiding to take it right now even when open. That could be very telling.

If he can not get a consistent 3 pt shooting, he might become a sixth man of the team role when we compete for Championships

[eyriq]

Hmm, I spoke too soon. Fultz as the starter camp is STRONG.

[swarlesbarkley]

I can see Fultz being our starting PG for the near future. His shooting % this year actually has been very good. He shot 80% against the Kings with 8 out of 10 FGA.

He needs to get his 3 pt shooting back. But he has been avoiding to take it right now even when open. That could be very telling.

If he can not get a consistent 3 pt shooting, he might become a sixth man of the team role when we compete for Championships

He's been avoiding the 3 since Washington. What makes you think something will change in him that makes him shoot it more now? With all the rehab time on his knee, he's not going to have a better opportunity to get his TOS right. From my understanding of TOS, using his shoulder more isn't the answer to it getting better, so it's not gonna loosen up now that he's playing every night either.

I'd love to see him shoot it more aggressively but I have no idea what the catalyst would be at this point to give him that confidence.

[MasterGMer]

I can see Fultz being our starting PG for the near future. His shooting % this year actually has been very good. He shot 80% against the Kings with 8 out of 10 FGA.

He needs to get his 3 pt shooting back. But he has been avoiding to take it right now even when open. That could be very telling.

If he can not get a consistent 3 pt shooting, he might become a sixth man of the team role when we compete for Championships

He's been avoiding the 3 since Washington. What makes you think something will change in him that makes him shoot it more now? With all the rehab time on his knee, he's not going to have a better opportunity to get his TOS right. From my understanding of TOS, using his shoulder more isn't the answer to it getting better, so it's not gonna loosen up now that he's playing every night either.

I'd love to see him shoot it more aggressively but I have no idea what the catalyst would be at this point to give him that confidence.

haha, how about tonight. Fultz with 10 points first half.

Brook Lopez attempted less than 50 threes his first 10 seasons in the league. But he has that average in one season, easily.

I just hope he can be a average long range shooter. If that is the case, I think he is our PG for the future

[swarlesbarkley]

I can see Fultz being our starting PG for the near future. His shooting % this year actually has been very good. He shot 80% against the Kings with 8 out of 10 FGA.

He needs to get his 3 pt shooting back. But he has been avoiding to take it right now even when open. That could be very telling.

If he can not get a consistent 3 pt shooting, he might become a sixth man of the team role when we compete for Championships

He's been avoiding the 3 since Washington. What makes you think something will change in him that makes him shoot it more now? With all the rehab time on his knee, he's not going to have a better opportunity to get his TOS right. From my understanding of TOS, using his shoulder more isn't the answer to it getting better, so it's not gonna loosen up now that he's playing every night either.

I'd love to see him shoot it more aggressively but I have no idea what the catalyst would be at this point to give him that confidence.

haha, how about tonight. Fultz with 10 points first half.

Brook Lopez attempted less than 50 threes his first 10 seasons in the league. But he has that average in one season, easily.

I just hope he can be a average long range shooter. If that is the case, I think he is our PG for the future

None of his 10 points came from the 3 point line. The league changed drastically from when Lopez entered the league. I want to see it too but I just don't see what's going to push Fultz to shoot more. He's wide open at the 3 pretty much every possession but he rarely takes the shot. Does he need to be MORE wide open? Even when his teammates pass him the ball for a wide open 3, he starts moving before he catches it so that he's already 5-7 ft inside the 3 by the time he catches it so he's purposely removing the 3 as an option.

Dame just hit a step back buzzer beater 3 over Fultz to end the 3rd - Fultz would not even attempt a shot like that and you gotta think it kills him inside that he can't/doesn't shoot that anymore.

[PrimeThyme]

It's just such a guard-dominated league. As solid as Fultz has been, the gap between him and the guards who have tormented us this year (Lillard, Fox, Young, Curry, etc) is still so big.

It's why I still feel like there's a piece missing. I think we need to find it this off-season.

[Husky1]

Every player has a weakness, Fultz is his 3 pt. But how about more talk about how good he has been on defense this year. He’s been elite. His game is so unique, he has more talent in his little finger than most the players in the league. can’t wait to see him with another injury free summer of working on a that shot. I love him

[davey_wavy]

Markelle by far has the most length out of our guards and that's why he gets more deflections. He isn't the problem, it's all the other short-armed guards.

Your obsession with lenght is letting bizarre lately.

Anyway, I'd definitely look for possible deals for him before the trade deadline, but I doubt there would be much interest if any given his salary.

Curious how much length Josh Primo would bring to this team..

[pepe1991]

Markelle by far has the most length out of our guards and that's why he gets more deflections. He isn't the problem, it's all the other short-armed guards.

Your obsession with lenght is letting bizarre lately.

Anyway, I'd definitely look for possible deals for him before the trade deadline, but I doubt there would be much interest if any given his salary.

Curious how much length Josh Primo would bring to this team..

3-5 inches

We should ask Dr. Hillary Cauthen exect lenght