Markelle Fultz and the Miami Heat will never be a match.
When NBA teams are bad and overpaid, desperation begins to seep into everyone’s psyche. So much so, that fans and media alike, have had the nerve to mention the Miami Heat and Markelle Fultz in the same equation.
With Miami sitting at 7-12, the popular theme has been geared towards the idea of tanking. Even going as far as pointing out that at this rate, the Heat would have a 32 percent chance at a top five pick.
And with that, comes the calls for Fultz:
"“The main teams that come to mind: the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and perhaps the Houston Rockets. In the first three cases, the teams have solid overall talent but lack franchise-caliber lead guards. All three have playoff aspirations, though they are unlikely to take the next step until they fill that lead guard need.” (Andre Snellings, ESPN)"
The flaw in that thinking is that Fultz is not anywhere near a franchise-caliber anything, at this point in his career. Nevermind that at this rate, he may never be.
Not only have his first two seasons been wrecked by injuries (shoulder and wrist) and horrible shooting forms, but his statistics have been very lackluster while playing as a hybrid guard through 33 games.
The former number one pick has a career average of 7.7 points on 41 percent shooting from the field, 53 percent from the free throw line and 27 percent from behind the arc. Numbers that do not exactly scream decent, let alone elite.
Then there is the theory of people like the Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman:
"“What I would do, if the 76ers would acquiesce, would be to consider such a move if it also includes a return of the Heat’s unprotected 2021 first-round pick that initially was dealt to the Suns and was since forwarded to the 76ers. In that case, the Heat would at least be assured of a tangible future asset in return.”"
Most of these trade scenarios include shipping Goran Dragic, Wayne Ellington, or both, to Philadelphia in exchange for Fultz.
However, being stuck with his declining value is not worth receiving an unprotected draft pick, money off the books for next season, or even squeaking under the luxury cap threshold.
To make such a move, for someone who cannot help, would essentially be the same as tanking. And at this point, it should be pretty clear that the Heat, as an organization, are not exactly fond of such plans.
While Miami could refuse to acknowledge it as a so-called process, or even entirely label it as unintentional, but entertaining a player like Fultz, would be closing the door on this season.