If you are still scratching your head as to why Sam Hinkie decided to trade Michael Carter-Williams, you could probably join a lot of other frustrated fans. In an even more awkward situation, MCW made his Bucks debut tonight against his former team. He fared well, scoring seven points and dishing out eight assists to go along with two steals in 17 and a half minutes of playing time.
We all know the NBA and professional sports as a whole is a business. MCW may not have been in Hinkie's plans moving forward, but the former Sixers point guard tells CSNPhilly.com that he doesn't think Brett Brown would've moved him if it were his decision.
"The ultimate thing it comes down to: Coach Brown coaches and Sam does the moves," Carter-Williams said after the Bucks' shootaround. "That is what it comes down to, that is the agreement, and that is all I know. I think if it came down to Coach Brown, I don't think I would have been moved, to be honest."
Brown had grown fondly of Carter-Williams as well. The two had a nice embrace before tonight's game, but you could tell MCW had a chip on his shoulder, scoring six points, tallying two steals and dishing out two assists in the first quarter. Prior to tip-off, Brett Brown commented on what MCW had to say about the trade, reiterating the power of Sam Hinkie.
"I say that Sam Hinkie has to do his job," Brown said when presented with MCW's thoughts on the trade. "I came to the Philadelphia 76ers in large part because of Sam. I had a gut feel that his study is meticulous and so only time will tell with all this. I will say I had a personal attachment and fondness for [Carter-Williams] and the excitement I will have watching him grow in this league, and he will grow."
MCW, Nerlens Noel and the rest of the Sixers were beginning to build a good chemistry and string together some gritty games and tough wins. When the reset button was pushed on the rebuild process again, that chemistry and culture took a hit, according to Carter-Williams.
"We were rolling, we were getting some wins," Carter-Williams said. "We were finding ourselves and finding our identity, and for that to break up is pretty sad. After this game and the media, I don't want to talk about it anymore. It is over and done. It is what it is, and it is time to move on."
Before being traded, Carter-Williams was averaging 15 points, 7.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game for the Sixers. Last season, MCW earned Rookie of the Year honors after posting 16.7 points, 6.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game. The Syracuse alum felt like he was developing and that he just needs time to grow.
"I went out there and gave it my all," he said. "That is all I can ask of myself. I put in the work in the gym. Of course I have a lot to improve on, but I could have gone out there and been perfect and of course he wouldn't have traded me, but that isn't realistic.
"I think I need time to grow. That is pretty much it. We had some success, we had a lot of great moments. Sam is taking a different road than me, and that is just the way life is."
While many agree with Hinkie's move of acquiring a possible lottery pick, MCW is still baffled that he was traded, proving himself to the organization by winning Rookie of the Year and hopefully securing himself as a future piece of the young, rebuilding Sixers.
"I thought I was pretty proven," Carter-Williams said. "I thought what I did in Philly were proven facts of success. My rookie year, I am not one to talk about myself, but winning Rookie of the Year, averaging 16.7 (points) and six (assists) — those are proven things. That is why I thought I was a cornerstone of this team. For it to go the other way, I still don't know why."
It will take quite some time to see whether or not this trade will work out in the end for Sam Hinkie, but at least Carter-Williams will get the opportunity to play for a team that is in postseason contention.
