Markelle Fultz, Raptors Agree to Contract, Former No. 1 Draft Pick Back in NBA After G League Stint

For the first time in nearly a year, Markelle Fultz is back on an NBA roster.

Per ESPN's Shams Charania, the former No. 1 overall pick is signing a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors. Fultz had previously spent six games with the Raptors' G League squad.

Fultz, who was drafted first overall in 2017 by the Philadelphia 76ers, has had a hard time establishing himself in the NBA amid injuries and other setbacks. He played just 33 games across his first two seasons because of a nagging shoulder injury before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 2019.

Though he didn't live up to the hype that came with being drafted first overall, Fultz managed to become a key contributor in his first season in Orlando, putting up 12.1 points and 5.1 assists per game. Injuries once again became a factor, tough, and he played just 26 games across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Once healthy again, Fultz put up a career-high 14 points per game in 2022-23. He was a free agent after the 2023-24 campaign, and the Magic did not re-sign him.

After his stint in Orlando, Fultz went unsigned for most of last season, but joined the Sacramento Kings in February. In 21 games with the Kings, he put up just 2.9 points per game.

While the first nine years of his NBA career have been rocky, Fultz is still just 27 years old and has time to get things back on track. The 10-day deal with the Raptors will be a crucial stretch in turning things around.

Toronto is currently sitting in fifth place in the East at 39-31, but it is sitting just 2.5 games ahead of the 10th-placed Charlotte Hornets, so the Raptors can't afford poor play from Fultz.