Markelle Fultz, the former No. 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers who was traded to the Orlando Magic in February to get a fresh start, is not likely to get it this season.
Magic coach Steve Clifford said Monday that Fultz probably won't finish rehabbing his injured shoulder in time to suit up this season.
"He's still rehabbing his shoulder and he's not even able to really do much on the floor yet," Clifford told SiriusXM Radio. "It's a pretty significant shoulder injury.
"I would say he's starting to do a little bit, but it would be very difficult for him to get back this year."
Fultz was traded from Philadelphia to Orlando on Feb. 7. After being taken with the No. 1 pick in 2018, he played in just 33 games with the Sixers, averaging 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He has spent most of his time since the trade in Los Angeles working with his physical therapist.
The Magic were in Philadelphia on Tuesday night to play the Sixers, and before the game 76ers coach Brett Brown said he will be rooting for Fultz.
"First and foremost, elite person, really just a good human being,'' Brown said of Fultz. "Two, a point guard. Thinks like a point guard, speaks like a point guard and he's a point guard by nature. And he has an instinct from a playing perspective to share and he reads the game well.
"Those two things first come to my mind -- good people and a point guard,'' Brown added. "We're always thinking about Markelle and we truly wish him well. I hope he can resurface -- and I believe he will -- and reclaim some of the expectations that he has on himself and the marketplace has for him.''
