Why Michael Carter-Williams Was Traded?
Michael Carter-Williams being shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks by the Philadelphia 76ers in a three-team trade was perhaps the most surprising move of the 13 trades that occurred on trade deadline day.
Carter-Williams is just in his second season in the league after being selected with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2013 draft by the 76ers. The 23-year-old averages 15.0 points, 7.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds in 41 games this season. He is shooting 38.0 percent from the floor, including a paltry 27.6 percent from more than three-feet from the basket. He is also shooting 25.6 percent from the three-point line and 64.3 percent from the charity stripe. Carter-Williams has produced 10 double-double and three triple-doubles this year.
Carter-Williams’ inability to make shots on a consistent basis is the main reason he is not with the 76ers’ organization anymore, Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie told the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Bob Ford.
“Shooting is an important part of the game, increasingly so. We talk a lot about the way teams are build. When you watch games in June, there are a lot of threes being shot and a lot of games being won in the balance of makes and misses. All the best teams are really strong behind the line.”
For his thoughts on the trade, Carter-Williams is excited about learning from Bucks’ head coach and former NBA point guard Jason Kidd. He is expected to replace Brandon Knight, who was traded to Phoenix as part of the three-team deal, as the Bucks’ floor general when he returns from a significant toe injury.
“After I got over the shock, I was ecstatic,” Carter-Williams said. “I was happy about being able to play under someone like coach Kidd. It is a dream come true to me. I watched him play when I was younger. Even before I knew I was coming here, I always said to a lot of people that I try to emulate my game after his. It’s a dream come true and I’m really happy to be here.”
Carter-Williams should thrive with the Bucks, who are very good at moving the ball on the offensive end. Carter-Williams, who excels in the open court, is a very good creator and passer. He will also have a better supporting cast in Milwaukee then he did in Philadelphia, with the ever-improving Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with three-point shooters like Jared Dudley, Khris Middleton, Ersan Ilyasova and O.J. Mayo. The Bucks also added Miles Plumlee and Tyler Ennis in the trade.
Milwaukee (31-23) defeated the Denver Nuggets 89-81 on Friday for their fourth straight win. The Bucks are 9-1 in their last 10 games and currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Bucks host the Atlanta Hawks (43-12) on Sunday. Carter-Williams will likely miss the game as he is currently listed as doubtful on the Bucks injury list but Plumlee is expected make his debut with the team. Ennis had four points and two assists in 18 minutes against the Nuggets.
[Image by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images]
