NBA News: Markelle Fultz, Kings Agree to Contract After De'Aaron Fox Trade

Markelle Fultz is back in the NBA.

The 26-year-old has agreed to a contract with the Sacramento Kings, his agent told Shams Charania of ESPN.

Fultz also reacted to the deal on X:

The guard has spent the 2024-25 season without a deal following the expiration of his rookie contract extension in summer 2024.

After starting in all 60 of his appearances for the Magic during the 2022-23 season, Fultz began his most recent campaign as a starter.

Then he was sidelined in November 2023 for a total 30 games with what the team identified as "left knee tendonitis."

Fultz returned in January 2024, but he moved in and out of the lineup while eventually slipping out of his spot in the starting rotation.

The guard at times appeared hesitant to shoot as he put up just 0.4 three-point attempts per game. He finished the regular season averaging 7.8 points and 2.8 assists per game, his lowest totals since joining the Magic in 2019.

Fultz said he was healthy for the postseason, where he looked more confident in his shooting as he averaged 6.4 points on 58.8 percent shooting while coming off the bench during the Magic's seven-game series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Fultz, who was named one of 12 finalists for the 2023-24 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award as voted by NBA players, had a reputation for being liked in Orlando.

But his extensive injury history, and the Magic's decisions to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the offseason, left the team with no room on the backcourt for the 2017 first-round pick.

Fultz will now seek a fresh start and a healthier 2024-25 season outside of Orlando.

With Sacramento, the veteran could see early playing time as the squad tries to fill the void at point guard left by De'Aaron Fox, who was traded to the San Antonio Spurs.