The Philadelphia 76ers may have added an important cog in the form of Tobias Harris in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers this week. In no way does that mean everything is perfect in the City of Brotherly Love.
Sidelined since November 19 with Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, former No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz expects to return at some point this season. Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen.
But Sixers head coach Brett Brown didn’t sound too optimistic that Fultz would be able to return and play at a high level in talking to reporters on Wednesday.
#Sixers coach Brett Brown, asked if he’s counting on Markelle Fultz for the playoffs: ‘I hope to be pleasantly surprised (with Fultz on the court).’
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 5, 2019
That buzz you hear in your ears? It’s Brown sounding the alarm on Fultz’s future with the Sixers. Even prior to the struggling guard going down to injury, there were reports that Philadelphia might look to move him.
Sure that’s not going to happen ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. But Fultz’s future in Philly is certainly up in the air. Fultz, 20, has played in a grand total of 33 games since the Sixers selected him No. 1 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.