What The Bucks Lost
Michael Carter-Williams
This trade was a straight one-for-one swap, so the only asset the Bucks lost is guard Michael Carter-Williams. It almost feels unnecessary to do it, but going through Carter-Williams’ strengths and weaknesses is a good idea here to separate the real from the rumored when it comes to MCW.
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Carter-Williams was productive if nothing else. He put up a lot of bulk statistics in his time with the team, but efficiency was never his strength. MCW averaged 11.5 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game with the Bucks last season, and shot 45.2 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from deep. He also made just 65.4 percent of his free throws, a career low.
MCW contributed less wins in 54 games with the Bucks this past season than he did in 25 games with Milwaukee the season before. In other words, Carter-Williams simply wasn’t very effective according to the advanced statistics.
Some of that comes from Milwaukee having a disappointing season, but it’s hard to argue MCW was a shining light in the darkness for the Bucks. He has strengths, but without a consistent outside shot teams need to be specially suited for him to work well.
The Bucks didn’t have the shooters for that. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker both currently lacking quality three-point percentages, it was always going to be tough for the Bucks to fit in Michael Carter-Williams.