76ers' Markelle Fultz (shoulder) could be shut down for rest of season

Thus far, number one overall pick Markelle Fultz's career has been a rollercoaster ride. Furthermore, his infamously bad jump shot hasn't exactly caused Sixers fans to crave his return.

Fultz, the No. 1 overall pick in last summer's draft, was declared free of shoulder pain almost two months ago, and back in early January he was cleared to begin the final stage of his return to play protocol.

Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said Friday before the team plays the New Orleans Pelicans that Fultz is progressing in his recovery but with uncertainty.

In a discussion with reporters today, Colangelo said there is now no timeline for Fultz's return and added the guard could be back in days or could miss the rest of the season. "I can't answer that question because we don't know the answer to that". "Everything within a certain range, it's lovely", said Colangelo.

"Mental preparedness and overcoming an injury is part of any athlete, especially an elite athlete, overcoming a debilitating injury", Colangelo said. "Paint shots. Perimeter shots are where you kind of draw a line".

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That's definitely not good news after nearly five months of rehab, especially for a number one pick.

When the Philadelphia 76ers moved up to take Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 pick in the 2017 Draft, it seemed as though their self-proclaimed period of "trusting the process" was finally complete.

With all the injuries rookies have suffered soon after being drafted by the 76ers for the past three consecutive years, whoever gets picked by them in the 2018 draft has reason to be scared.

Brown had said he expected Fultz, who has missed all but four games this season with what the team has called right shoulder soreness and muscle imbalance, to be back in the lineup at some point.