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Sacramento Kings rookie debate: De’Aaron Fox or Markelle Fultz

By Tyler Watts

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: De'Aaron Fox helps adjust the bowtie of Markelle Fultz before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: De'Aaron Fox helps adjust the bowtie of Markelle Fultz before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings chose De’Aaron Fox, but the Sixers moved up in the same draft to take Markelle Fultz.  Did Sacramento take the better point guard?

The Sacramento Kings needed a point guard heading into the 2017 NBA Draft.  The class featured five point guards that seemed worthy of top ten picks.  It was the perfect storm.  The Kings went on to select De’Aaron Fox with the fifth overall pick.  The headliner and number one overall selection was Markelle Fultz, though.  As both their rookie seasons wind down, now seemed like the time to look back and see if the outcome would be different today.

Fultz’s shoulder injury

Markelle Fultz, a Rookie of Year favorite to start the season, has been anything but so far.  He played in Philadelphia’s first four games before going down with a shoulder injury.  A lot made about Fultz attempting to remake his jump shot in the offseason and how that negatively impacted his shoulder.  Regardless, he missed almost the entire regular season before returning on March 26.

Whatever happened, be it injury or new shooting mechanics or something else, Fultz has not looked the player experts expected.  He is yet to attempt a 3-pointer.  In his 27 field goal attempts on the season, Fultz sank just nine (33.3% for those keeping track at home).  He profiled as a scorer with the ability to shoot threes and create havoc defensively.  His 24 points in four games are not exactly on par.  Fultz’s defense does look sturdy and appears to be the only bankable asset in his game right now.  His jumper looks off, and Fultz looks to lack confidence in it.  That is a worrying sign going forward for the 19-year-old.

Related Story: De'Aaron Fox's mid-season report card

Fox’s rookie growing pains

De’Aaron Fox has not dominated the competition, but he has shown improvements.  For a player projected to be a mediocre shooter, he is attempting two 3-pointers per game and sinking 32.3%.  Not a sparkling average, but at least he is working on it.  Fox is shooting 41.7% from the field on the season and just 71.8% on free throws as well.

Fox has made significant strides post-All-Star Break, though.  He is more comfortable running the offense, assisting the ball, and even stepping up in the clutch to help the Kings win.  Fox’s blazing speed has been on full display.  The defense is improving including averaging a steal per on the season.  Fox is slowly rounding into form and looks capable of developing his shooting range this offseason.

The decision

The surprising decision is I believe De’Aaron Fox would be the higher draft pick if the draft happened today.  Fultz may have a slightly higher upside, but he looks far away from reaching that peak.  Fox appears to be making gains and improving into a starting caliber point guard.  Fultz may not be able to shoot jumpers and with Ben Simmons in on his team may be relegated to limited playing for the foreseeable future.  I would take Fox over Fultz if redrafting today.

All of this can change in a hurry, though.  Fultz will have the opportunity to play in the playoffs this season and have the chance to vault himself back in front of Fox on a grand stage.  If the Sixers make a deep run or Fultz is clutch in the postseason, expect him to gain significant perceived value.  It will be a blast following both players careers and seeing who becomes the better player.

Next: Alize Johnson could be the steal of the draft for Sacramento

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