The Philadelphia 76ers are seeking a first-round pick – and not a bad one – in exchange for Markelle Fultz, according to Keith Pompey of The Inquirer:
A league source said the Sixers don’t want to part ways with Fultz unless a first-round pick is packaged in a deal for him. And they’re not talking about a late first-rounder, either.
League executives believe the Sixers will settle for less as it gets closer to the Feb. 7 trade deadline, because there really isn’t a trade market for Fultz right now. There’s too much skepticism surrounding his shooting woes and his shoulder issues.
This is only if they decide to trade Fultz, of course. And that’s a fairly big if, per Pompey:
A lot of that has to do with his dwindling trade value combined with the ownership group’s philosophy of not giving up assets for zilch. The ownership group also isn’t in total agreement with what do with Fultz, according to league sources.
The Pistons’ hesitation about trading Fultz is warranted. He’s probably a sunk cost, but it’s not easy for a team to ship off, a No.1-overall pick for parts, especially one who still has the potential to be a really good player.
The Detroit Pistons are one team that has reached out about acquiring Fultz, Pompey claims, confirming a report by the Detroit Free Press that claimed the Pistons were interested in the young guard.
