Markelle Fultz and the Sacramento Kings agree to a contract, following the De'Aaron Fox trade

NBA Trade Rumors: Markelle Fultz and the Sacramento Kings agree to a contract, following the De'Aaron Fox trade

The NBA has welcomed Markelle Fultz back.

According to his agency, Fultz has agreed to a deal with the Sacramento Kings, Shams Charania of ESPN reported. 

The 26-year-old guard's rookie contract extension expired in the summer of 2024, so he has been without a deal for the 2024–25 season.

Fultz started his most recent season as a starter for the Magic, having started all 60 of his games in 2022–23.

He then missed 30 games in November 2023 due to what the team determined to be "left knee tendonitis."

After making a comeback in January 2024, Fultz fluctuated in the starting lineup and eventually lost his position.

The guard only made 0.4 three-point tries a game, and at times he seemed reluctant to shoot. His averages of 7.8 points and 2.8 assists per game at the end of the regular season were the lowest since he joined the Magic in 2019.

After coming off the bench to average 6.4 points on 58.8 percent shooting during the Magic's seven-game series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Fultz claimed he was healthy for the postseason and appeared more assured in his shooting.

Fultz had a reputation for being liked in Orlando and was one of 12 nominees for the 2023–24 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, which was decided by NBA players.

However, the Magic had no room on the backcourt for the 2017 first-round choice because of his lengthy injury history and their decision to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over the offseason.

Now, Fultz will look for a new beginning and a healthier 2024–25 season away from Orlando.

As Sacramento looks to fill the point guard vacuum left by De'Aaron Fox, who was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, the veteran may receive early playing time.