The Sixers’ 2017 Draft Gamble: A Risk That Still Echoes Through Philly
Oh, the NBA Draft — that magical time of year when hope springs eternal, and every franchise believes their next superstar is just one pick away. For the Philadelphia 76ers, the 2017 draft wasn't just another night on the NBA calendar. It was supposed to be the night. A cornerstone moment in “The Process.” A leap from potential to greatness.
Let’s rewind to the hype of June 2017.
The Sixers, buzzing with youthful talent like Joel Embiid and a soon-to-debut Ben Simmons, were sitting pretty at the No. 3 overall pick. But General Manager Bryan Colangelo didn’t want to settle for third best. No, Philly had its eyes on a particular gem — Markelle Fultz, the electric combo guard from the University of Washington.
In a bold move, Philly made a deal with the Boston Celtics — flipping the No. 3 pick and a future first-rounder to move up to the No. 1 spot. Celtics exec Danny Ainge must’ve seen something we didn’t (or maybe we didn’t see what he saw). Because Boston moved down and still grabbed Jayson Tatum. Yeah… that stings in hindsight.
Flashback to the Markelle Fultz Hype
Let’s be clear: Markelle Fultz wasn’t just any prospect. This guy was the consensus No. 1 overall pick. Scouts praised his smooth handles, silky jumper, and court vision. He looked like the backcourt complement the Sixers desperately needed — someone who could create, score, and take some pressure off Simmons and Embiid.
The plan made sense on paper. But what followed was, honestly, one of the weirdest storylines in recent NBA memory.
When the Wheels Came Off
Training camp came and went, and something just felt... off. Fultz’s jump shot — once a major asset — suddenly vanished. His free throw form looked like someone was trying to shoot underwater. People speculated: Was it mental? Was he hiding an injury?
Eventually, the Sixers and Fultz’s camp revealed that he was suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome, a rare condition affecting nerves between the neck and shoulder. It was a legitimate issue, no doubt — but it also arrived with a fog of mystery that never fully cleared.
Fultz ended up playing just 33 games in two seasons with Philly. His stats? A modest 7.7 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. The explosive playmaking guard fans hoped for never truly materialized in a Sixers jersey.
Time Runs Out in Philly
By the 2019 trade deadline, the Sixers had seen enough. They shipped Fultz to the Orlando Magic for what felt like pennies on the dollar: Jonathon Simmons, a second-round pick, and a heavily protected first. It was a gut punch to fans who had clung to the hope that Fultz would somehow figure it out.
To be fair, Fultz did have a decent resurgence in Orlando. He never turned into a superstar, but he carved out a role as a reliable, starting-caliber point guard. Over five seasons, he averaged 11.6 points and 4.8 assists, displaying maturity, poise, and flashes of the potential that once made him the top pick.
Unfortunately, the injury bug just wouldn’t leave him alone.
Now a King, Still Searching for That Crown
Fast forward to today, and Fultz is now a member of the Sacramento Kings, looking for another fresh start. Sacramento’s young, energetic squad could offer the ideal environment for him to finally settle in and thrive. With De’Aaron Fox leading the backcourt and a coach in Mike Brown who values hustle and development, this could be Fultz’s chance to redefine his narrative.
Let’s be real, though — that Philadelphia chapter still lingers like an unfinished sentence.
A Hard-Learned Lesson in Draft History
Looking back, it’s impossible not to wonder what if. What if the Sixers had stayed at No. 3? What if they had picked Jayson Tatum instead — a guy who now headlines Boston’s championship runs and looks like a future Hall-of-Famer? Even Donovan Mitchell was on the board. It’s one of those classic butterfly-effect moments in franchise history.
But that’s the draft. It’s a gamble every time. For every Embiid or Allen Iverson, there’s a Fultz or a Jahlil Okafor. That’s just the way the league works. You roll the dice and pray you’re not making highlight reels for all the wrong reasons in five years.
The Bigger Picture: Fultz and Philly's DNA
Fultz’s short and turbulent time in Philly wasn’t all doom and gloom. His saga forced the franchise to pivot, to evaluate talent differently, and to better manage expectations. It also highlighted how fragile confidence and health can be in the development of young players — especially in a city as passionate and demanding as Philadelphia.
That era of the Sixers is filled with “almosts.” Almost got the right pick. Almost had the perfect rebuild. Almost broke through to the Finals.
But it also shaped who they are now — a team that’s learned to balance patience with urgency, raw talent with mental fortitude, and hype with hard truth.
Quick Hits from the Fultz Era:
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🚨 Big Trade Energy: Philly moved heaven and earth to get the top pick in 2017 — it was all-in or bust.
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🔍 Medical Mystery: Fultz’s shooting issues were as confusing as they were heartbreaking.
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🔄 Second Chances: Despite early struggles, Fultz has quietly built a respectable career outside of Philly.
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🧠 The “What-If” Game: Jayson Tatum in a Sixers jersey? Yeah, it’s hard not to think about.
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🤝 Lessons Learned: The franchise is far more careful today about fit, health, and culture.
Final Word
Markelle Fultz’s story with the Sixers is like a tragic subplot in an epic movie. You hoped it would all come together. The signs were there. The potential was real. But the plot twist hit, and things never quite recovered.
Still, it's a chapter worth remembering — not just as a cautionary tale, but as a pivotal moment in Philly’s long road back to relevance. Whether you see it as a bust or just bad luck, there’s no denying it was one of the most fascinating draft stories of the past decade.
As the 2025 NBA Draft looms, the hope remains the same: the next pick could change everything — or not.
That’s the beauty (and heartbreak) of draft night.
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