The Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly interested in signing experienced guard Markelle Fultz before the former First-Rounder reached a deal with the Sacramento Kings earlier this week.
Markelle Fultz attracted interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks before he signed at the Sacramento Kings
Fultz, 26, joined Sacramento on Thursday at the Kings in New Orleans less than 24 hours after signing. He was in uniform but did not play in the loss of the Kings 140-133 overtime for the Pelicans in Smoothie King Center.
In an interview with Jason Anderson van The Sacramento BeeFultz said he had trained in Los Angeles in recent months from Monday to Friday while he prepared for his comeback.
He attracted interest from the clippers, bucks and other teams before he agreed to a contract with the kings after a private training for assistant -well director Wes Wilcox and other members of the organization.
Free agent Guard Markelle Fultz has agreed to a deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agent Raymond Brothers or I AM Sports & Entertainment told ESPN. Kings have searched to find a point guard – and close a deal with the former number 1 general choice. pic.twitter.com/oqnbqnpycy
– Shams Charania (@shamscharania) February 13, 2025
Fultz said he would like to show Kings fans that he is still able to overcome his injuries and recover himself as a consistent scorer. It has a good size and length at 6-foot-4 with a 6-9 ½ wingspan.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt since I was in the competition,” Fultz told Anderson. “I never had the chance to take my time and get healthy, so it’s great for me to do that last summer. I am super enthusiastic for this opportunity and I am grateful for it. “
The resident of Maryland spent his first seven NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic, on average 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 234 games (164 starts).
The NBA career of Fultz was almost ended by the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
The clippers and bucks missed a special player.
Fultz was a productive striking at the university that had an average of 23.2 points while shooting 47.6% from the field and 41.3% of 3-point reach, but he only shot 27.4% from outside the bow At NBA level while he dealt with a rare shoulder injury.
His career was almost ended by a serious shoulder injury that was diagnosed as a thoracic exhaust syndrome, which influences the nerves between the neck and shoulder. The injury hinded his ability to shoot a basketball.
Although Fultz eventually recovered and 26 points scored in the 120-113 victory of Orlando on the Washington Wizards on December 27, 2020, he suffered a seasonal ACL tear in a match against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 6, 2021.
Fultz appeared a total of 26 games for two seasons with Orlando from 2020-22. He was also limited to 43 games (18 starts) in 2023-24 due to a correct meniscus injury that required surgery in the summer.
In 60 games (all starts) with the magic in the 2022-23 season, average career heights of 14 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 29.6 minutes per game while the career-beste of 51.4% from the field and 31% of deep.
The kings signed Fultz to improve their defense half after sending De’aaron Fox and Jordan McLaughlin to the San Antonio Spurs in the three-team Trade with the Chicago Bulls that brought Zach Lavine to Sacramento.
