Alas! Former top draft pick Fultz claimed by G League team; strong performance could lead to Raptors signing.

On March 7 Beijing time, Sportsnet reporter Michael Grange reported that the Toronto Raptors' affiliate G League team, Raptors 905, has claimed guard Markelle Fultz via waiver claim. This former number one overall pick had previously signed a G League contract.

Fultz was the first overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. His career has been severely hindered by injuries, playing only 255 regular-season games over eight seasons for the 76ers, Magic, and Kings. In the 2024-25 season, he appeared in 21 games for the Kings, averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 assists in 8.8 minutes per game.

Shoulder injuries affected Fultz's shooting mechanics early in his career, which is one reason he has struggled to secure a stable starting role in the NBA. In his sole college season at Washington, his three-point shooting percentage was 41.3%, but since entering the NBA, the 27-year-old has made only 83 of 296 three-point attempts, a 28.0% success rate.

Currently, Fultz will bolster the roster depth for Raptors 905—a team whose depth has been compromised in the past week as several players were called up by NBA teams. Julian Reese, Olivier Sarr, and David Roddy have all signed two-way contracts with other NBA franchises.

However, Grange noted in his Sportsnet.ca report that Fultz's performance with 905 warrants attention. The Raptors are looking to add an NBA-experienced guard to fill their 15th roster spot, with Lester Quinones also being one of their targets.

The Raptors currently have nearly $900,000 in salary space below the luxury tax threshold, allowing them to sign a player for the remainder of the season without incurring luxury tax penalties. But according to Sportsnet.ca reporter Blake Murphy, if the team reaches the Eastern Conference Finals this spring, Immanuel Quickley will receive a $500,000 bonus. Therefore, the Raptors are likely to wait until mid-March to add their 15th player, to avoid triggering the luxury tax if they advance to the third round of the playoffs.

Grange also wrote that if the Raptors ultimately do not find a suitable veteran guard, promoting a player from their two-way contracts would be an alternative plan.