76ers To Trade Michael Carter-Williams?

It’s been reported that the Philadelphia 76ers attempted to trade Michael Carter-Williams at the NBA Draft this past June.

Carter-Williams, who is the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year, averaged 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game in the 70 games he suited up for during the 2013-2014 NBA season.

The Philadelphia 76ers finished last season with a record of 19-63, which was the second worst record in the entire NBA behind the Milwaukee Bucks, and the speculation was that Carter-Williams was the type of player that could put up really good numbers on a bad team, and that the 76ers should trade him before he gets exposed.

At the NBA Draft back in June, the Philadelphia 76ers selected fellow point guard Elfrid Payton. Carter-Williams was interviewed after the pick was made, and was noticeably distraught. The 76ers eventually traded Payton to the Orlando Magic.

Grantland’s Zach Lowe reported in his latest column how the 76ers were looking to trade Carter-Williams, but they didn’t get the kind of offers that they were expecting, and as a result they held off.

“They tried hard during the draft, but they couldn’t draw the trove they envisioned or guarantee that the player they wanted with an acquired pick would be there, per several league sources. Expect Philly to repeat the exercise. It’s not a shot at Carter-Williams, or even a signal that the Sixers are dying to trade him. He may well end up a long-term cog in Philly.

“The team knows point guard is the most replaceable position in the league today, and it will seek out any deal that adds to its stockpile of high-value draft picks.”

It’s no secret that the 76ers are willing to throw away the next couple of seasons to stockpile assets for the future and Carter-Williams may not be in their future plans.

As Lowe mentions, point guard is the most replaceable position in the entire league as there’s an abundance of talented point guards in the NBA. The 76ers organization may feel as though that Carter-Williams will not end up being on the level of a Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving or Damian Lillard, and could be looking for the guy who fits that mold a bit better.

It’s not set in stone that the 76ers will trade Carter-Williams in the near or distant future. But they are making him available and will definitely move him if the right offer is made.