Clifford: Fultz unlikely to play for Magic this season

Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford doesn't foresee former No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz hitting the hardwood for his new team over the final weeks of the regular season.

"He's still rehabbing his shoulder and he's not even able to really do much on the floor yet," Clifford told SiriusXM Radio, according to ESPN. "It's a pretty significant shoulder injury.

"I would say he's starting to do a little bit, but it would be very difficult for him to get back this year."

The Magic acquired Fultz prior to the trade deadline in a deal that sent Jonathon Simmons and a pair of draft picks to the Philadelphia 76ers. The point guard has spent most of his time since the deal rehabbing in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which affects the nerves between his neck and shoulder.

"First and foremost, elite person, really just a good human being," 76ers head coach Brett Brown said of Fultz. "Two, a point guard. Thinks like a point guard, speaks like a point guard and he's a point guard by nature. And he has an instinct from a playing perspective to share and he reads the game well.

"Those two things first come to my mind - good people and a point guard. We're always thinking about Markelle and we truly wish him well. I hope he can resurface - and I believe he will - and reclaim some of the expectations that he has on himself and the marketplace has for him."

The 20-year-old Fultz averaged 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 41.4 percent shooting in just 33 appearances across two seasons with the Sixers.