76ers' Markelle Fultz: 'We're going to be in the playoffs'

Markelle Fultz, the rookie guard for the 76ers, isn't backing down from the hype he and teammates Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and the rest of the team's rejuvenated roster have created.

"We're going to be in the playoffs this year, and I think everybody is willing to put forth their best effort and listen to the coaches and listen to the bench," the former University of Washington star told CSNPhilly on Thursday at a Sixers-hosted camp at Valley Forge Military Academy.

After trading up to No. 1 overall in the 2017 draft to select Fultz, the Sixers signed free agents J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson, bolstering a roster that won just 28 games last season. Several Eastern Conference teams, such as the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls, traded away key players in an effort to rebuild with younger pieces, which should help the Sixers' as they try for their first playoff appearance since 2012.

Embiid suggested as much after the Pacers traded Paul George to Oklahoma City for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.

The Sixers' over/under win total was listed at 40.5 by BetOnline.Ag. Last season, the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference was the Chicago Bulls, who finished with 41 wins.