Just 15 games into the season, Markelle Fultz is no longer a starter.
In a move that many saw coming after the Jimmy Butler trade, Fultz will not be in the Sixers' starting lineup Wednesday in Orlando.
Sixers starters: Ben, Jimmy Butler, JJ, Chandler, Embiid.— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 14, 2018
Instead, Butler will start in his debut alongside JJ Redick, Ben Simmons, Wilson Chandler and Joel Embiid.
As of now, this looks like the Sixers' strongest five-man lineup - especially defensively. While Brett Brown had his reasons for starting Fultz, this seemed inevitable. It's clear at this point in their careers that Fultz and Simmons are both point guards.
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This is far from the end of the world for Fultz. He'll still probably average around 24 minutes a game off the bench as the backup point. There have been several times this season when he's actually given the Sixers a nice spark off the bench during his second-half run. While his shot obviously has not progressed, he's made vast improvements defensively and in his aggressiveness getting to the rim.
Looking big picture is likely where the Butler trade affects Fultz more. If the Sixers sign Butler to a long-term contract this offseason, it leaves little room for Fultz once Simmons gets his extension in 2020. Elton Brand was adamant that the Butler move was not an indictment on Fultz, but it's certainly worth keeping an eye on going forward.
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