Markelle Fultz Signs 10-Day Deal With Toronto Raptors

Markelle Fultz Signs 10-Day Contract with Toronto Raptors: A Career in Comeback Mode

Nearly a year after his last NBA appearance, Markelle Fultz is back. On March 23, 2026, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the former No. 1 overall pick had signed a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors, ending a prolonged stretch on the outside of NBA rosters. For a player whose career has been defined as much by injuries and setbacks as by flashes of undeniable talent, the signing represents another chapter in one of professional basketball's most complicated stories. Bleacher Report confirmed the agreement shortly after the initial report broke.

Toronto's move is born of necessity — starting point guard Immanuel Quickley is sidelined with a foot injury — but it also offers Fultz a genuine opportunity. The Raptors are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference at 39-31, sitting 2.5 games ahead of the 10th-place Charlotte Hornets. With playoff positioning on the line, every game matters, and Fultz will be expected to contribute immediately.

From G League to the NBA: How the Raptors Deal Came Together

Before landing his new NBA deal, Fultz spent time playing for the Raptors 905, Toronto's G League affiliate. In six games, he averaged 9.4 points and 6.2 assists per game — numbers that were clearly enough to catch the parent club's attention. When Quickley went down, the front office didn't have to look far for a proven point guard option.

According to Yahoo Sports, the Raptors were specifically drawn to Fultz's playmaking ability and his familiarity with the organization after his G League stint. The 10-day contract structure gives Toronto flexibility — if Fultz performs well, they can sign him to a second 10-day deal. Under NBA rules, after two 10-day contracts, a team must either sign a player to a standard contract or let him go entirely.

For Fultz, the path back was methodical. Rather than waiting for a phone call from the bench, he went to work in the G League and proved he belonged. Yahoo Sports noted this marks his first NBA roster spot in nearly a year, making it his ninth NBA season overall.

The Making of a No. 1 Pick: Fultz's Draft Pedigree and Early Promise

To understand why Markelle Fultz's career arc carries such emotional weight, you have to go back to where it began. As a freshman at the University of Washington, Fultz was a one-man offensive force — he led the entire nation in scoring with 23.2 points per game while also averaging 5.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists. That combination of scoring volume and playmaking versatility made him an obvious top selection.

The Philadelphia 76ers took him first overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, slotting him into their ambitious "Process" rebuild alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The expectations were enormous. The reality proved far more complicated.

Almost immediately after being drafted, questions arose about Fultz's shooting mechanics. His free throw percentage and three-point attempts dropped precipitously in his rookie season, sparking widespread speculation about what was wrong. A combination of a shoulder injury, a reported thoracic outlet syndrome diagnosis, and the mental toll of intense public scrutiny created a perfect storm that derailed what should have been a triumphant start to his career.

The Trade to Orlando and a Career-Best Season

Fultz's tenure in Philadelphia ended at the 2019 trade deadline when he was sent to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Jonathan Simmons, a 2019 second-round pick, and a protected 2020 first-round pick. The fresh start suited him. Away from the suffocating expectations of a top-market rebuild, Fultz gradually rediscovered his game.

Then came January 6, 2021 — a date that Fultz won't forget. Just eight games into the season, he tore his ACL against the Boston Celtics. Another devastating setback. Another long rehabilitation. Another test of his resilience.

Remarkably, Fultz came back stronger. The 2022-23 season with Orlando became his best as a professional. He averaged career highs across the board: 14.0 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. He looked like the player many scouts had envisioned back in 2017 — a fluid, instinctive point guard capable of running an offense and finding teammates in rhythm. It was the season that proved, definitively, that Fultz could play at an NBA level when healthy.

The Struggles That Preceded the Toronto Opportunity

Unfortunately, Fultz's momentum didn't carry forward. Orlando did not re-sign him after the 2022-23 season, and he spent most of the 2023-24 season without an NBA home. It was a jarring fall from career-high production to unemployment in the span of one offseason.

He eventually landed with the Sacramento Kings in February 2025, but the stint was underwhelming. Fultz appeared in just 21 games, averaging 2.9 points per game on 8.8 minutes of court time. The role was minimal, the impact was limited, and the Kings did not bring him back.

That set the stage for his G League audition with Raptors 905 — and ultimately, his return to the NBA. MSN Sports covered the signing as a feel-good story of perseverance, noting that Fultz's willingness to grind through the G League rather than wait passively spoke to his character.

What Fultz's Return Means for the Raptors' Playoff Push

Toronto is in a position where every win counts. At 39-31 and fifth in the East, they're in a comfortable playoff spot but not so comfortable that they can afford to sleepwalk through the final weeks of the regular season. Losing Quickley at point guard created a real void, and Fultz — at his best — is a legitimate NBA starter.

His profile fits what Toronto needs: a pass-first point guard who can manage the offense, create for others, and operate in pick-and-roll situations. The 6.2 assists per game he posted in the G League suggest his playmaking instincts remain sharp. If he can translate that to the NBA level quickly, the Raptors will have added a meaningful piece at exactly the right time.

The bigger question, as MSN Sports reported, is how Fultz responds emotionally and physically to being back in an NBA game after 341 days away. Early reactions suggested he was energized by the moment — the kind of response that teams want to see from a player fighting for his professional life.

If Fultz performs well over the next 10 days, Toronto faces a decision: sign him to a second 10-day deal, and potentially a standard contract. That would make him a Raptor through the end of the season — and potentially into the playoffs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Markelle Fultz and the Toronto Raptors

Why did the Toronto Raptors sign Markelle Fultz?

The Raptors signed Fultz primarily because starting point guard Immanuel Quickley was ruled out with a foot injury. Fultz had already been playing with their G League affiliate, the Raptors 905, where he averaged 9.4 points and 6.2 assists per game in six games, making him the logical internal option to fill the void.

How long is Markelle Fultz's contract with Toronto?

Fultz signed a 10-day contract on March 23, 2026. Under NBA rules, a team can offer up to two 10-day contracts to a player. After that, the team must either sign the player to a standard contract or release him.

What is Markelle Fultz's career history in the NBA?

Fultz was selected No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2017 NBA Draft. After struggling with injuries and shooting mechanics in Philadelphia, he was traded to the Orlando Magic in 2019. He posted career highs in 2022-23 with Orlando (14.0 points, 5.7 assists) before going unsigned for much of 2023-24 and spending a brief stint with the Sacramento Kings in early 2025.

Did Markelle Fultz play in the G League before signing with Toronto?

Yes. Fultz played six games for the Raptors 905, Toronto's G League affiliate, before earning his call-up. He averaged 9.4 points and 6.2 assists per game during that stretch, which directly led to the 10-day contract offer from the parent club.

Where do the Toronto Raptors stand in the NBA standings?

As of the signing on March 23, 2026, the Toronto Raptors were fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 39-31 record, sitting 2.5 games ahead of the 10th-place Charlotte Hornets. They are firmly in playoff position but playing meaningful games in the final stretch of the regular season.

Conclusion: Another Chapter in a Complicated Career

Markelle Fultz's journey from consensus No. 1 pick to G League grinder to NBA comeback player is not a story of failure — it's a story of persistence in the face of repeated adversity. Shoulder injuries, a torn ACL, shooting mechanics that became national news, and seasons spent on the fringe of rosters have tested him in ways few players experience.

Now, at 28 years old and in his ninth NBA season, he gets another shot with a Toronto team that needs exactly what he does best: running an offense, distributing the ball, and making life easier for his teammates. Whether this 10-day contract turns into something longer depends entirely on what he shows over the next week and a half.

But simply being back on an NBA floor, competing in a playoff race, after everything he's been through? For Markelle Fultz, that alone means something.