NBA Trade Rumors: Pistons Want Markelle Fultz As Potential Reggie Jackson Replacement

The Markelle Fultz rumors continue to grow as the Detroit Pistons are the latest team reportedly interested in trading for the struggling Philadelphia 76ers point guard.

According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons are inquiring about last year's No. 1 draft pick as he could serve as an attractive option for the team should young prospect Reggie Jackson leave the organization in free agency next summer.

Ellis did have doubts, however, as to whether the Pistons could offer a trade package that would work for both parties, especially as the Sixers won't be looking to take on additional salaries following the arrival of Jimmy Butler, while Detroit would need to shed cap space to make way for Fultz.

"But what would be the cost of acquiring Fultz? He’s still a former No. 1 overall draft pick and he will likely not come cheap," Ellis wrote Thursday. "The 76ers aren’t looking to add salary — the Pistons would have to shed salary to take on Fultz’s $8.3 million to avoid luxury tax concerns. Could a future first-round pick and a Pistons salary get it done? Doubtful."

Dave Early of Liberty Ballers was the first to report the Pistons having an interest in Fultz on Thursday as he noted the injury to reserve point guard Ish Smith as well as inconsistent play from Jackson led the organization to "exploring ways to possibly shake up its backcourt while adding a high-upside prospect."

He adds that two of Detroit's assistant general managers in Malik Rose and Sachin Gupta have ties to the Sixers, with the latter notably being a "driving force behind many of (former team president) Sam Hinkie’s trades." Early also mentions the Orlando Magic as another team interested in Fultz.

Fultz has also attracted interest from the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns in recent weeks, though the latter reportedly no longer have an interest in the 20-year-old.

Recently diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, Fultz is currently undergoing physical therapy and has not played for the Sixers since Nov. 19. He has struggled with his shooting since arriving in the NBA and the media attention on him has grown even more this season.

Many believe the best option for Fultz is to move to a smaller market team and gradually develop as a player with less media attention on him, and Detroit would qualify as a place where he could do that.

The Maryland native averages 8.2 points from 41.9 percent field goal shooting over 19 games this season.