Friday 8 February 2019 06:41, UK
The Philadelphia 76ers dealt former No 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz to the Orlando Magic for guard Jonathon Simmons and first and second-round picks before Thursday's trade deadline.
The first-rounder is the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2020 top-20 protected pick, which becomes second-round picks in 2022 and 2023 if not conveyed in 2020.
The 76ers previously acquired the same pick in a trade involving Jerami Grant before sending it to Orlando in June 2017 for the rights to Latvian center Anzejs Pasecniks. The second-round pick is for this year's draft.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Markelle (Fultz) to the Magic family," Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said in a statement released by the team. "This is an incredible opportunity for us to add a former No 1 1 overall draft pick to our roster and to add depth to our backcourt.
"We will provide Markelle with the best possible support at his own pace and look forward to his future contributions."
Fultz, 20, was the top overall pick less than two years ago, after the 76ers traded a first-round pick to the Boston Celtics to move up two spots in the 2017 NBA Draft.
However, Fultz has played just 33 games through two seasons while battling shoulder and wrist injuries that have affected his ability and confidence to shoot. He hasn't played since November 19 while undergoing therapy for thoracic outlet syndrome, which causes compression or irritation of the nerves or blood vessels in the area between the lower neck and upper chest.
There have also been numerous reports about miscommunication and conflict between Fultz and the 76ers over the past year and a half.
Fultz played in 19 games (15 starts) for Philadelphia this season and averaged 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 22.5 minutes per game. He was limited to 14 games as a rookie, averaging 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 18.1 minutes per game.
Simmons, 29, is averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 20.6 minutes per game while playing 41 games (nine starts) in Orlando this season.
He posted career highs of 13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 29.4 minutes per game as a regular starter (50 of 69 games) in 2017-18.
