How does Markelle Fultz affect this offseason?

With recent rumors linking the Sixers and the Celtics in a trade for the number one overall pick, it must be considered how a potential Markelle Fultz acquisition could impact this offseason for the 76ers.

Ahhhh, just what 76ers fans needed. With less than a week until the 2017 NBA Draft, the city of Philadelphia has been invigorated by the recent news reported by Zach Lowe and Marc Stein of ESPN that the Sixers are in “serious talks” with the Celtics in regards to trading up to the number one overall pick. In potentially making this trade, all signs point to University of Washington guard Markelle Fultz going number one overall. For starters, who exactly is Markelle Fultz?

To answer that question, we may have one of the most complete college guards seen in the last decade. Fultz possesses a rare combination of great size for a guard, terrific shooting ability, explosive finishing, good handling, and very willing and able defending. Fultz averaged 23, 6, and 6 in his freshman year at Washington, despite playing on a poor team that finished 9-22 and second from bottom in the Pac 12. Despite being on that bad of a team, it hasn’t hurt Markelle’s draft stock one bit.

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In the build-up to this year’s NBA Draft, there haven’t been many talking about Fultz and the 76ers. Names like Josh Jackson, Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum, and D’Aaron Fox have been kicked around as potential options for the 76ers at No. 3, but no one has been accounting for the possibility currently in front of us with Fultz. If the trade goes through and the Sixers do acquire Fultz, what can be expected of them the rest of this offseason?

For starters, Fultz immediately makes the 76ers a more viable destination for big name free agents. Another year of “The Process” is likely something that would deter many free agents, especially seasoned veterans, because they don’t know how long they can wait around for this 76ers team to become a force in the East. Markelle Fultz automatically expedites this process (that word again…), and gives the Sixers three of the best young players in the NBA alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. This potential move immediately catapults the Sixers from a team with loads of question marks to a team that has no reason to miss the playoffs next season.

Fultz’ potential addition means the team has a few clear cut needs in Free Agency. If we had taken a guy like Josh Jackson, that would minimize the need for another elite perimeter defender next to Robert Covington. While Fultz is a very good defender, a player that can guard 1-3 is likely a necessity. With the likes of PJ Tucker and Andre Roberson hitting the FA market this summer, both would provide outstanding defense at a price that won’t break the Sixers bank. It must always be kept in mind that every FA addition has to account for the money we eventually need to pay all of our young superstars down the road.

Secondly, while Fultz is an elite shooter, more shooters must be brought in to surround him. This is where names like JJ Redick, Danilo Gallinari, and even as low key as Omri Casspi come in to play. Veterans of their sort likely wouldn’t sign with a team with as many question marks as the Fultz-less Sixers, but adding Fultz changes everything. He’s only going to be 19 when the NBA season starts, so taking the pressure off of him and surrounding him with one or two good shooters would do him the world of good.

A few current 76ers could have roster spots in jeopardy given the situation as well. Sergio Rodriguez would certainly be gone, while Nik Stauskas‘ roster spot would be in serious question. If not Stauskas, the team could certainly opt out of Gerald Henderson‘s deal and save $9 million this year in the process. The fact remains that Markelle Fultz’s arrival would certainly spell the end to one or two of the current Sixers tenures with the team.

Next: How is the Process altered if the Sixers draft Fultz?

There’s zero doubt that Markelle Fultz would change everything related to The Process, and that starts this offseason. Fans will be expecting the playoffs next season, and some help in Free Agency in the shape of a veteran or two will seriously help that out. If this rumored deal does go through, you can certainly expect a swift change in the Philadelphia 76ers basketball we’ve grown painfully used to in the last 5-6 years.