February 07, 2019
It finally happened.
The Sixers have reportedly traded former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz to the Orlando Magic for Jonathon Simmons, a first-round draft pick, and a second-round draft pick, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first with the news of the trade:
Orlando is trading for Markelle Fultz, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor first reported the team’s return:
The Magic are sending Jonathon Simmons, a Thunder first and Cavs second to the Sixers for Fultz, per source. https://t.co/OaVTy5LyIO
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 7, 2019
This is (not that I need to tell you this) enormous news for the Sixers and also their wild fanbase. The Fultz situation is just about as bizarre as it gets. This was a long time coming, but the fact that a trade is actually here is still incredible.
How do fans feel about the trade? They have lots of takes.
Mostly, though, they seem excited.
Sixers essentially traded Fultz for the opportunity to not have to talk extensively about it at the next press conference
— David Murphy (@ByDavidMurphy) February 7, 2019
This is the first rounder from the Anžejs Pasečņiks trade LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Elton broke the curse and freed my soul https://t.co/0LZIuPrl2P
— shamus (@shamus_clancy) February 7, 2019
Great trade, who'd we get? https://t.co/cxWIWI0AzA
— FakeWIPCaller (@FakeWIPCaller) February 7, 2019
Whatever he becomes will be away from a disastrous tenure here and that’s the best for all parties involved. We can all move on
— Zo (@Tweets_By_Zo) February 7, 2019
The #sixers got a most likely real, albeit late, first-round pick back for Markelle Fultz. The draft pick return is more than I anticipated. My surprise is more the target. I figured they'd prioritize a role player for the stretch run over draft pick compensation.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) February 7, 2019
Such a shame about Fultz
— Dan DeLuca (@delucadan) February 7, 2019
I’ll need an oral history of the Markelle Fultz era in Philly at some point. A 30 for 30 podcast will do fine.
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) February 7, 2019
Outside of getting rid of Fultz’s headache, was the return on the trade good for the Sixers?
Markelle Fultz was worth an expiring contract at most, IMO. Getting more than that is a considerable win.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) February 7, 2019
Getting a 1st, 2nd and a decent talent in Simmons for Fultz is pretty good considering NO couldn't get a 1st for Mirotic
— Greg Richards (@igglesnut) February 7, 2019
That's a very good haul for Fultz
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) February 7, 2019
Wow, the Sixers hit the bank with this one. Fultz for all of that? Worth it https://t.co/bRJ3qFwEVT
— Max Holtzclaw (@Max_Atttack) February 7, 2019
And here are a few more miscellaneous Fultz takes, because there are just so many:
hope for Markelle he figures this all out one day, I'll be following him & wish him well. the sad reality is, it reached a point of exhaustion/distraction & frankly was best for both parties to move on. Sixers could no longer wait, his cap space is needed next year. #HereTheyCome
— Jamie Lynch (@jelynchjr) February 7, 2019
Wishing Markelle Fultz the best. Hope he gets it all together. Except when he plays the Sixers. In those games I want Embiid to block all of his shots into the crowd thus making helmets required headwear for fans when Orlando is in town.
— Joseph Murray (@PPDJoeMurray) February 7, 2019
Pretty wild that the Sixers have basically nothing of value currently on their team from the 2013, 2015, or 2017 drafts, didn't end up getting anything meaningful from that home-run of a Kings trade, and still have one of the five or so best long-term situations in the NBA.
— Kurt (@Kurt_BSH) February 7, 2019
we should all treat ourselves to the meal of our choosing for getting through the markelle fultz era. pic.twitter.com/UgS0i814ky
— Jeff McDevitt (@JeffMcDev) February 7, 2019
I checked on the chickfila situation in orlando, he'll be ok.
— MeIissa Stites (@StitesMelissa) February 7, 2019
I checked on the chickfila situation in orlando, he'll be ok.
— MeIissa Stites (@StitesMelissa) February 7, 2019
If you need a refresher of how we arrived here, PhillyVoice's Kyle Neubeck put the whole situation into perspective almost a year ago to the day.
What do you think? Fair value? Glad it’s over? Sad it’s over? Yell at us. Let us know.
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