5 Free agent steals the Wizards should try to turn into stars

2. Markelle Fultz

Perhaps the time for Markelle Fultz to turn into a star has come and gone. He couldn’t do it with the Philadelphia 76ers, and even with the Orlando Magic, he was just a solid role player.

But there was a reason he was the first pick in a draft that also included Jayson Tatum, De’Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, and so many other talented players.

Fultz clearly has, or maybe had, the tools to be a great player in the NBA, and just because he hasn’t figured it out yet doesn’t mean the league should give up on him.

Orlando could look to bring him back, but with Anthony Black’s emergence as a rookie, they could also choose to move in a different direction.

There probably won’t be a huge market for Fultz’ services, so there’s a chance the Wizards could swoop in and land him on a contract that doesn’t match his true value on the court.

Depending on what they do with Tyus Jones this summer, Fultz could step in as one of the top guard options in Washington, giving him the opportunity to control things the way he sees fit.

It’s a small chance, but if he’s given that freedom again, maybe he can finally put all the pieces together and get close to the player people wanted him to be.