The Markelle Fultz drama is taking a turn for the even weirder, this time with a legal angle.
The Philadelphia 76ers bewildering point guard, whose jump shot disappeared upon entering the NBA, will see a shoulder specialist next week, The Athletic first reported.
His lawyer and agent, Raymond Brothers, is urging this check-up, and the 20-year-old won’t play in games or practice until being evaluated.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE HOW THE WIZARDS BECAME THE NBA’S BIGGEST JOKE
It is unclear why Brothers — and not Fultz or the 76ers — is pulling the strings for this doctor visit. But it makes its own bit of sense, considering how bizarre this saga has been. Fultz recently split from shooting coach and confidant Drew Hanlen.
Fultz was the No. 1 overall pick out of Washington in 2017, but he started play with an awkward, ineffective shot that he and the team blamed on a shoulder injury.
He was shut down after just four games last season to recuperate and returned late in the season, his shot still with a hitch.
This year, the quick, 6-foot-4 guard has been on the court but largely ineffective, his shot still off in averaging 8.2 points in 19 minutes per game. He’s taken just 14 3s — and made four of them.
Last week came a viral, humiliating moment for Fultz, who double-clutched on a foul shot; for other shooters it would be a method to draw rebounders into the lane early, for Fultz it was the height of the problem.
HOW THE WIZARDS HAVE BECOME THE NBA’S BIGGEST JOKE
The Wizards’ 5-11 start is only part of the reason for their impending fire sale.
With Washington reportedly open to discussing trade offers for everyone, including All-Star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal, it’s becoming crystal clear why the Wizards are open to gutting their entire roster since apparently no one can get along at practice or during games.
Multiple reports say there have been numerous verbal altercations between players and staff at both practice and games over the past week. One of those incidents included Wall, a five-time All-Star, yelling “F–k you” at head coach Scott Brooks, according to ESPN.
Wall’s response was ignited after forward Jeff Green and Brooks challenged him and the team to raise their level of player in practice.
The 28-year-old, whose four-year, $171 million extension kicks in next season, apologised to Brooks and then his teammates a day later, according to the report. He also was fined.
A similar incident happened during a recent game in which forward Kelly Oubre Jr. hurled a profanity at Brooks, the Washington Post reported.
This level of dysfunction isn’t anything new — it’s been a steady level of drama since 2012, according to Beal.
“I’ve been dealing with this for seven years,” said Beal, according to The Athletic, about the fighting in practice.
Those three players, and forward Otto Porter, have been swirling around the NBA as potential trade targets. The Ringer reported New Orleans is interested in Porter. The Nets, who offered him a max deal in 2017, also could be a fit.
— By Kyle Schnitzer