Markelle Fultz
Markelle Fultz could be in the lineup when the Raptors face the Jazz on Monday night. Photo by Jacob Kupferman) /The Associated Press
Markelle Fultz, the NBA’s first overall pick in the 2017 draft, is getting another kick at the can.
The Raptors announced Monday that they have signed the point guard to a 10-day deal after he made a positive impression with the club’s G League affiliate, Raptors 905.
Coincidentally, the Raptors 905 were in Salt Lake City earlier Monday where they defeated the Jazz’s G League affiliate.
The timing seemed right for the Raptors to give Fultz a chance to resume an NBA career that has not lived up to expectations.
The Raptors are in the midst of a five-game road trip and were coming off a lopsided loss in Phoenix when they landed in Utah.
Starting point guard Immanuel Quickley was ruled out by the Raptors because of plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
The need for a point guard was clear, but what isn’t clear is how long Fultz will stay with the NBA team, which signed Mo Bamba a few months ago to a non-guaranteed contract only to waive him following a two-game stint.
It was expected Fultz would see some playing time Monday night against the Jazz, who are in complete tank mode.
The only legitimate point guard on Toronto’s roster is Jamal Shead, who had one of his worst outings in the Raptors’ blowout loss to the Suns.
Toronto wraps up its road swing Wednesday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers.
The Raptors began the trip by beating the Chicago Bulls and then losing to Denver followed by the debacle in Phoenix.
It was former Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo who traded up in the draft to select Fultz, believing the University of Washington would make an ideal piece to play alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
It proved to be a miscalculation.
By every definition, Fultz is the epitome of a journeyman whose career has been marred by injuries and inconsistency.
Prior to joining the Raptors, Fultz also had stints with the Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings.
The Raptors 905 claimed Fultz off waivers earlier this month.