Apr 12, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Wizards Should Sign Former No. 1 Pick

Originally posted on Washington Wizards on SI
By Tyrone Montgomery | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 5:00 PM ET

As summer comes to a close, many people tend to find renewed excitement in life. Their favorite sports are back, they’re entering the holiday season, and they find many good deals worth exploring. Holiday sales, such as Black Friday and Christmas sales, are the main shopping focuses in the fall and winter. After those deals are close to their conclusions, sometimes you can find deals that others may have missed. As free agency reaches its conclusion, the Washington Wizards may be able to find a deal with a player other teams may have overlooked.

We are close to having basketball back within the NBA. The preseason is just two months away. As we get closer to the start of the season, many teams are going to take some last-minute flyers on players. The Wizards have been busy bringing in many players this offseason. They will do well to bring in one more player to add to the depth in the backcourt: Markelle Fultz.

The best available unrestricted free agents:

Gary Payton II
Ben Simmons
Russell Westbrook
Trey Lyles
Malcolm Brogdon
Chris Boucher
Thomas Bryant
Amir Coffey
Cody Martin
Precious Achiuwa
Dalano Banton
Cam Payne
Delon Wright
Markelle Fultz
Alec Burks
Torrey Craig
Landry Shamet pic.twitter.com/ad9l1wc7dK
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 27, 2025

Fultz may be the best guard left in the open market in free agency. He is only 27 years old and still has a lot of basketball left in his future. He had his best season two years ago with the Orlando Magic. There, they supplied him with much support as they gave him heavy minutes, as he averaged 30 minutes each game. He was a starter for the Magic. As a starter, Fultz averaged 14 points along with six assists. While he would help the Wizards, the Wizards would help him, too, as he is trying to return to starter form.

He still has the skillset to be a starter. He simply doesn’t have a chance or opportunity to showcase that he still has bounce in his game. Over the last two seasons, he hasn’t played many minutes, and that has limited his game. Fultz would be a great option off the bench for the Wizards. He would play well next to AJ Johnson, as they both are explosive guards.

Fultz is a former number one overall pick. He would certainly fit well with the Wizards.

This article first appeared on Washington Wizards on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: