https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2018/06/17/sixers-markelle-fultz-bryan-colangelo-draft-rumors-brett-brown-nba-news-reports/
Brett Brown addresses Bryan Colangelo-Markelle Fultz draft rumors
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June 17, 2018 10:38 pm ET
Amid the Twitter burner account drama which resulted in Bryan Colangelo resigning from his role as president of basketball operations with the Philadelphia 76ers, another interesting report leaked out.
This one had nothing to do with social media, but instead with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz. The rumblings stemmed from comments made by The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, who stated that after Fultz struggled in a pre-draft workout last offseason, that some front-office members wanted to reconsider the Sixers taking Lonzo Ball or Jayson Tatum.
"….after Fultz struggled in his workout with the Sixers last June, league sources say some Sixers front-office members suggested that despite making the trade, the team should have taken a second look at Tatum or Lonzo Ball. But the idea was shot down by Colangelo, according to sources. Fultz was the choice. There was no turning back." O'Connor stated.
It was certainly an eye-opening report, but late this week, Sixers coach and interim general manager Brett Brown joined the Mike Missanelli Show and as Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia revealed, quickly shut down that rumor.
"That is untrue. There was a collaborative decision on Markelle, and we're still happy that decision was made … Time will tell, but I've got belief in Markelle Fultz." Brown stated.
It's a strong statement and Brown didn't seem to flinch on the topic. Obviously, Fultz's rookie season didn't pan out as expected, as he missed all but 14 games in the regular season of his first year. Even when he did play, the former Washington star's shot didn't look quite the same as it did in college.
He wrapped up the season by making just 40.5 percent of his field goal attempts, missing his lone 3-point shot and converting only 47.6 percent of his free throws.
While Fultz is apparently working with a specialist to improve his shooting form, there's also still plenty of confidence when it comes to the young guard's future. With that said, there's no denying that this offseason could be a big one for Fultz.
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