Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: Michael Carter-Williams On The Move?
By Adam McGee
Likelihood Of A Deal
I don’t feel like there’s any questioning the fact that the Bucks are likely dangling Michael Carter-Williams as the trade deadline approaches, just at the off chance that they can find any takers.
With the team’s construction meaning multiple key decisions have to be made in the next two to three years, it makes perfect sense for them to constantly test the market. A good front office won’t grow attached to players if they feel there’s a possibility of flipping them for something better.
In Michael Carter-Williams’ case I’m just not sure if that’s a realistic possibility at this point in time though. Carter-Williams’ season has been a lot better than many on the outside looking in seem to realize, and in many regards his reputation proceeds him right now.
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Improvements in most key stats don’t make the headlines, but without a doubt the shockwaves have now reverberated around the wider NBA on two separate occasions from Jason Kidd deciding to bench him.
Matt Moore of CBS Sports spoke on the potential for the Bucks to deal both players a few days ago:
"There’s no real gain to be had by dealing them; you’re not going to find good deals for them at this point with MCW looking like an offensive computer virus, and Monroe like the worst version of himself as a defensive liability."
Although neither of those descriptions are necessarily true, that’s certainly not too wide of the mark when it comes to general perception around the league.
Following on from so much talk of how much Kidd wanted MCW last season, news of regular benchings and then a willingness to trade away the point guard isn’t going to reassure opposing front office’s of his potential.
Brian Windhorst summed up how Kidd was confident he could work with MCW in a great piece that posted on Tuesday, but also gave this telling insight as how the deal ultimately unfolded:
"The Bucks only had eyes for Carter-Williams."
If that is indeed the case, and the Bucks are looking at a poor market for Carter-Williams at present, why would they trade him?
On a rookie deal Carter-Williams has no means to cripple Milwaukee’s future flexibility. Seeing his contract out in Milwaukee doesn’t hurt the Bucks. If the team find an upgrade at the right price, by all means they should pull the trigger, but otherwise this is definitely a case when patience won’t necessarily hurt the team.
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Even the teams that make sense for Carter-Williams at the moment don’t feel like they’re in position to make a deal. That’s not to say that he won’t be traded before the deadline, but if he is, I’d bet it’s much more likely to be a cog in a larger deal than one with him as the focal point.