Markelle Fultz expected to be Philadelphia’s sixth man next season

Markelle Fultz is ready to put the “6” in Philadelphia 76ers.

In an appearance this week on 97.3 ESPN’s “The Sports Bash,” Keith Smith of Real GM spoke on Fultz and his expected role for the Sixers in 2018-19.

“He’s probably likely to be the sixth man coming off the bench,” Smith said of the 20-year-old. “And in a lot of ways that’s a great role for him because on the days that he’s got it going, you ride him. On the days where he doesn’t, he’s a sixth man, that’s OK, sit down, we’ve got other guys who can handle the load.”

Fultz, who went to Philly with the No. 1 overall pick last year, was hindered by some well-documented health and mechanical issues in his rookie season. The net result was 14 total apperarances with 7.1 points and 3.8 assists per game.

After bringing back JJ Redick this summer, the Sixers can run back what they had last season with Redick and Ben Simmons as their starting backcourt plus TJ McConnell also available for matchups that require a more traditional point guard to start. That would allow Fultz to work his way back in lower-leverage situations off the bench.

Smith also says that the Sixers seem to be “really happy” with the work that Fultz has done with his new trainer, so it sounds like everything is trending in the right direction for the former Washington star.

H/T NBA Reddit