Brandon Apter (@bapter23), Managing Editor
When the Sixers drafted Michael Carter-Williams 11th overall in 2013, many believed the team had gotten their point guard of the future. Not only did MCW have the ability to set the table on offense, but he also offered a very serviceable mid-range jumper and three-point shot. Carter-Williams was the highlight of the 2013-14 Sixers season, earning Rookie of the Year after posting 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game spanning 70 games.
In year two of MCW's Sixers career, he was joined by Nerlens Noel, a duo that excited many since they had played together before. Even though he was averaging 15 points and 7.3 assists per game, the Sixers felt the need to part ways with the Syracuse alum, trading him to the playoff-bound Bucks in exchange for the Lakers top-5 protected pick in 2014. That pick would be top-3 protected in 2016 and 2017 and unprotected in 2018. The deal may not have been received well by all, but fast forward to today and the Sixers may have parted ways with MCW at just the right time.
In 25 regular season games for the Bucks last year, Carter-Williams averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists per game. In the six playoff games he played in, MCW averaged 12.2 points and 4.8 assists on 42.3 percent shooting. The Bucks were a team hoping to go to the playoffs for years to come, but that hasn't worked out as they have played to a 20-31 record this season, seven games behind the Pistons for the final playoff spot in the East. MCW has career lows in points (11.5), rebounds (5.0), steals (1.5) and assists (5.6) per game this season.
As part of the trade with the Sixers, the Bucks parted ways with point guard Brandon Knight, who many believe to be one of the big factors behind Milwaukee's strong play last season. This season in Phoenix, Knight is averaging 19.7 points, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game. In two seasons with the Bucks, Knight averaged 17.9 points and 5.1 assists per game.
Spearheading the Bucks’ surge was point guard Brandon Knight, whom some thought was playing at an All-Star level. Knight, Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo were hailed as the Bucks’ new “Big Three," the pillars of the franchise.
In the days leading up to the trading deadline, Marc Lasry, one of the Bucks’ tri-majority owners, even said Knight wasn’t going anywhere, that he was a key piece to the Bucks’ puzzle.
Jason Kidd obviously didn’t agree.
The Bucks' head coach, who is calling all the shots, jettisoned Knight to Phoenix as part of a three-team deal that also included the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to Gery Woeffel of the Journal Times, who's article is referenced above as well with regard to Brandon Knight, the Bucks are ready to play "Let's Make a Deal" with numerous players on their roster, including struggling point guard and former Sixer Michael Carter-Williams.
Based on conversations with several NBA execs from the Eastern and Western conferences, the Bucks are more than receptive to playing “Let’s Make a Deal.’’
And that includes possibly moving Michael Carter-Williams, who has been consistently inconsistent since joining the Bucks. Carter-Williams has had some dynamic games this season, like an 18-point, 13-assist outing against Sacramento and a 20-point, 12-assist showing against Chicago.
On the flip side, Carter-Williams had only two assists in 26 minutes against Portland on Wednesday night, one assist in 27 minutes against Memphis last week, and zero assists in 25 minutes against Miami two weeks ago.
But Carter-Williams isn’t the only frontline player the Bucks are apparently willing to move. A much bigger surprise is the Bucks have made it known that center Greg Monroe is available at the right price, according to some NBA officials.
Carter-Williams had 18 points, nine assists, four steals and seven turnovers in the Bucks 113-100 win over the Sixers back on December 23rd.
The NBA trade deadline is on Thursday, February 18th.
