Markelle Fultz's trade value has dwindled, but there is a market for him _ under a certain condition. He and his representation have to be truthful, a league source said.
In other words, the source said, potential 76ers trade partners don't want Fultz saying that his right shoulder and wrist are bothering him if he actually has a mental block that's hindering his shooting.
That's especially the word coming out of Cleveland, as the Cavaliers are interested in taking a chance on the 2017 first overall pick, according to sources. The Phoenix Suns are also among the teams with some level of interest, sources said.
However, Fultz does come with some red flags and questions. Who's running the show? Is his family a major distraction? And what's the next step after this week's visit to shoulder specialists in New York?
The Sixers are expected to have word on his next steps sometime this week.
The Cavs, among other teams, are awaiting the news. According to a source, they want to pull the trigger on a trade for Fultz. In return, the Sixers would most likely receive Kyle Korver.
The Sixers had discussions about trading for Korver this summer. At that time, they were considering shipping Jerryd Bayless to Cleveland for the 37-year-old veteran. That trade never materialized, and Bayless was packaged with Robert Covington, Dario Saric and a 2022 second-round pick and sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton.
The acquisition of Korver would enable the Sixers to bring back a fan favorite who's one of the league's top three-point shooters. He would be an upgrade from former Sixer Marco Belinelli, who signed as a free agent with San Antonio in July.
But is acquiring Korver, especially at this time, in the Sixers' best interest?
It might be in the best interest for both to wait at least until Dec. 15 to decide what they want to do. The Sixers, who have an open roster spot, could also wait until the February trade deadline or the buyout market around that time to add a player.
But Dec. 15 is important because that's when players who signed free-agent deals this summer can become eligible to be traded.
A guy such as Suns small forward Trevor Ariza, who signed a one-year free-agent deal, would the perfect fit with the Sixers as a solid shooter and defender. If needed, he could play power forward in the Sixers system just like Wilson Chandler, another traditional small forward, is doing. Ariza, Ben Simmons, Butler and Joel Embiid would form a stellar defensive quartet in the starting lineup to go with the sharpshooting JJ Redick.
The Suns had interest in Fultz leading up to last year's draft. Their analytics people thought he had a huge upside, but they had huge concerns about his support system.
The Suns and Sixers would probably have to add players to the deal to make the salaries work out. Ariza is making $15 million this season, and Fultz makes $8.3 million.
The Suns need talent and could take a chance on a player with a huge upside such as Fultz. If he fails, they wouldn't have to pick up his fourth-year option next October. Phoenix also realizes it could lose Ariza at the end of this season and not get anything back.
For the Sixers, trading for a player in the final year of his contract would enable them to avoid taking on another contract for next season and save the $9.7 million that Fultz is guaranteed for next season. Butler is expected to opt out of the final season, 2019-20, of his deal. The money saved by trading Fultz could allow the Sixers to add another top free agent in addition to re-signing Butler.
Meanwhile, Korver will have a salary of $7.5 million next season, with $3.44 million guaranteed. That's not a lot of money by NBA standards, but the Sixers still want to maximize their cap space. Plus, Korver wouldn't solve their defensive woes. He would basically add to them.
The Sixers' second unit has been defenseless with guards Furkan Korkmaz and Landry Shamet and post player Mike Muscala struggling to make stops. You would be better suited pairing the three shooters with a solid defender instead of another shooter.
The Sixers also could fill that need with the vacant roster they have or choose to trade for a two-way player similar to Ariza.
But before that happens, teams want to know more about Fultz to see if he's worth the gamble.
In Cleveland, he could form a solid backcourt tandem with Collin Sexton, who some league executives think has a better future at shooting guard. In Phoenix, adding Fultz would allow standout Devin Booker to slide over to shooting guard. He, Booker and rookie center Deandre Ayton could form a good nucleus to build around if Fultz can produce.
But right now, there are questions that need to be answered. One can only imagine the number of phone calls that interested teams will place about his state of mind.
Fultz is in New York this week seeing several specialists. That comes after his agent and lawyer, Raymond Brothers, informed the Sixers last week that Fultz, who had played 19 games this season with 15 starts, would not practice or play until he saw a shoulder specialist. The Athletic reported that Fultz also is dealing with a right wrist injury Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks at the Wells Fargo Center will mark the fourth game he has missed.
Sources have long said that his shooting woes were mental and that Fultz was dealing with the yips.
Potential trade partners simply want the truth.
