Markelle Fultz raises the floor for the Orlando Magic

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 28: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Orlando Magic reacts after defeating the Indiana Pacers 119-103 at Amway Center on February 28, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The Orlando Magic got a timely post-All-Star boost earlier this week with the return of Markelle Fultz. In total, the point guard was out 14 months with an ACL tear, and it is fair to say a lot has changed for the franchise since then.

When Fultz departed the scene, the Magic were built around Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier, with a head coach in Steve Clifford directing them towards the postseason. It was a time when Fultz had been the second-best Magic player in a series against the Milwaukee Bucks.

All of those faces have now departed, and after two games, it’ clear that the return of Markelle Fultz significantly raises the floor of this new-look Orlando Magic group.

Within minutes of checking into Monday’s win over the Indiana Pacers, it was abundantly clear why this sentiment is true. Markelle Fultz operates in a way that no other guard on this roster does, and it has been sorely missed.

The Fultz we knew before he went down was crafty, played at his own pace, got into the lane impressively easily, and had a tempo that allowed him to get his teammates going with ease.

The most encouraging aspect of his return was that all of the above was still true, and on display early. Coming off the bench, there was a serene calmness when Fultz had the ball. You would have forgiven him if he had tried to force things too much to announce to the NBA that he was back and here to help.

Fultz was not without his mistakes, of course, but the way in which he plays means he is likely to reclaim the starting point guard spot before long. Looking at his style of play next to that of Cole Anthony, it makes sense for all involved as well. This is one of the key reasons that Fultz raises the floor of the Orlando Magic as a future relevant team,- he fits seamlessly and increases their depth.

The Magic hadn’t drafted Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs before got Fultz got injured. Anthony was a rookie who had a couple of injury issues and Wendell Carter Jr. was still with the Chicago Bulls. But straight away, Fultz took some of the playmaking and scoring responsibly away from Wagner, who badly needs the help and was clearly happy to have Fultz back.

Wagner has been a revelation for the Magic and has a legitimate chance to be named Rookie of the Year. But he is just that – a rookie. The 82 game schedule and all of the losing that comes with being a young team will take a toll on you. Wagner is no different, and the prospect of the two of these guys working in tandem is an exciting one.

The same applies to Fultz and Carter Jr., who could run a fascinating two-man game to annoy opponents. Fultz doesn’t look like he’s ever going to be an elite three-point shooter, and that is ok. Carter Jr., on the other hand, is comfortable taking some long-range efforts to mix in with a paint game that is constantly evolving.

We’ve already seen James Harden and Joel Embiid run some inverted-screen plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, and Fultz and Carter Jr. will benefit from doing some of the same things. The Magic will really prosper when the chemistry between these two takes off. It can be the basis of several offensive plays and also serve to hide the fact Fultz has limitations to his shooting.

Finally, and most importantly, it allows both Fultz and Anthony to be the players both look like they were always destined to be. Anthony is a fan-favorite and has been great for the Orlando Magic this year. But at this point, it is also fair to say that as a result of his energy and enthusiasm that coming off the bench he could be amazing as a sixth man for a playoff version of this team.

Markelle Fultz, on the other hand, sets a more measured tone, which you want when you’re beginning a game and looking to build a lead. These are two different point guards with contrasting styles who both positively impact the Magic in their own way. It is not a bad thing, as it allows the Magic to play to their strengths and have serious depth, and that is what will make them truly good again.

It is also not a hard and fast rule that Anthony will become the sixth man and Fultz will start. Perhaps both will start together and the improving Suggs will spend time coming off the bench. No matter what, this is a great problem to have and without question raises the floor of how good this organization can be in a couple of years.

In a season that has once again featured a lot of losing, it feels different this time. The Orlando Magic have several legitimate young guys who are going to be very good before you know it. And adding Markelle Fultz back to that mix, a holdover from a previous version of the team who actually has playoff experience, it feels like a bonus to the front office and further justification that they were right to trade for him in the first place.