(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
With the NBA trade deadline only a few weeks away on February 8, trade rumors are starting to heat with some notable players potentially on the move before the buzzer sounds on the deadline next month.
Perhaps the most notable names on the trade market right now are Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine, with both players being linked to a number of teams.
However, another name surfaced this weekend that might garner some interest from teams trying to improve their backcourt without having to commit beyond this season.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Markelle Fultz of the Orlando Magic appears to be available on the trade market, via NBACentral.
Markelle Fultz is a name to watch on the trade market, per @TheSteinLine
“Orlando is said to be exploring the trade market for guard Markelle Fultz, who is playing on a $17 million expiring contract.”
(Via https://t.co/4qcTo952fD) pic.twitter.com/M4o7XWiJIW
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 14, 2024
Even though the Magic are one of the surprise teams in the league this season, Fultz has seen his numbers drop considerably from last season, when he had the best year of his career, averaging 14.0 points per game.
Fultz’s minutes are down at 23.5 per game compared to last season at 29.5 per contest, and he’s averaging his second-lowest point total per game of his career at 8.0 points per game, with the worst coming in his rookie season at 7.1 points per game.
Despite the low numbers following up a career year in Orlando, Fultz has an attractive expiring contract at $17 million, which means he could get dealt and immediately bought out to become a free agent.
However, he could also land in an ideal situation to prove his worth to a new team or teams in free agency next summer.
The post NBA Insider Names Former No. 1 Pick As Potential Trade Target appeared first on The Cold Wire.