Kings Sing Markelle Fultz to Help Shore Up Point Guard Woes

When the Kings made headlines right before the trade deadline, they knew they were in for an uphill climb. While the deal landed them Zach LaVine, among a handful of picks, losing De’Aaron Fox was never going to be easy.

The superstar point guard is one of the best on-ball scorers in the league, a great defender, and a smart passer who can space the floor. While the Kings still have plenty of strong guards, including Keon Ellis and Malik Monk, they definitely lost some synergy in the trade.

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Though the team is still fighting hard for a playoff spot in what has become an extremely competitive Western Conference, losing a starting point is a hard adjustment. So hard, that after only a few games the team decided to bring in help.

Familiar, but New

With the trade deadline over, the Kings did not have many ways to fill Fox’s absence. There were a few guards still available as free agents, but nearly none of them gave the team the presence they needed going forward. That led them to signing Markelle Fultz.

The ex-number one pick might seem like an odd choice given his recent play, but after spending five years with the Magic he did not have a team going into the 2024-2025 season. That made him eligible to sign with a new squad. The Kings were more than happy to bring him in.

While the specific details of the contract have not yet been released, it’s clear Sacramento wants him to play. Fultz represents a strong presence at the top of the key, which is what exactly the Kings need right now.

Starting Out Slow

Despite his hype, Fultz was never truly an NBA superstar. He battled with plenty of injuries right out of the get, and could never seem to find his rhythm. He averaged less than nine points a game with the 76ers, and never averaged more than four rebounds or assists.

However, he did hit his stride in Orlando. With the Magic he upped his points and assists considerably. Everything then came together in the 2022-2023 season, where he averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists a contest.

Those were career numbers for Fultz and showed that he managed to overcome his starting struggles to find his groove in the NBA. Though injuries derailed him the next year, which is why no one picked him up in the offseason, he’s no stranger to success at a high level.

Here to Fill a Role

The above flashes are what the Kings see in Fultz, and one of the main reasons they brought him to the team. The other, of course, being sheer desperation. The Kings have a solid roster on paper, but it’s hard to run a team without a true number one.

Without Fox they have had nowhere to turn. They’ve tried several players, including Malik Monk, to run their offense. While those attempts have led to short term success, none of them are something that’s going to hold up as the NBA season goes.

Fultz fills that role quite well. He’s also battled plenty of injuries. Ailments held him to just 43 games last season, and his numbers were down across the board. Still, he’s a veteran player who can run an offense and help find the open man.

Sacramento doesn’t need too much, nor are they asking for him to take over the game. They just want a competent player who can help make everyone else better.

Fultz is not flashy, nor is he physically dominant. He’s unlikely to be someone on highlight reels, and it could take him a while to get going with a new team. Even so, he’s a player who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Right now, that’s what the Kings need.

Length, Strength, and Size

The other reason Fultz is valuable to Sacramento is because of his sturdy frame. The guard stands at an imposing 6’4, giving him a huge edge of defense. He knows how to bully opposing points and keep them from being able to drive or push to the rim.

That alone is a valuable asset, but Fultz’s size helps on offense too. It allows him to drive hard at the basket, which can lead to open shots or a more dynamic offense. Getting another big body onto the court is crucial for the Kings, as they hope to continue to leverage their size to pound the paint and wear other teams down.

Fultz may not have hit his expectations, but he’s only twenty six years old and will serve as a great jolt of physicality as long as he stays healthy. With LaVine, Sacramento is on a three game win streak and firmly eyeing the postseason. A little more consistency and they might make it above the play-in games.

While Fultz might not bring them there by himself, he’s a decent upgrade with a lot to prove. The guard just finished up a $50 million deal with the Magic, and is looking for a big payday going forward. If he ups his game, the Kings might just give him one.