Michael Carter-Williams is rumored to be back on the trading block for the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s unlikely he was ever removed from it.
In no time the NBA regular season will tip off. As the preseason rolls along, team coaches and executives are playing close attention to which players will make the cut, those that are expendable and a few who the jury’s still out on. In accordance with all of the uncertainty, the amount of rumors and trade possibilities increase as well.
The 76ers are no exception. Considered to be deep in rebuild mode with such lengthy long-term vision that the majority of their fans have exhausted their patience, it appears Philly is still willing to move on without their reigning Rookie of the Year point guard, Carter-Williams
According to Zach Lowe from Grantland.com:
"“They tried hard during the draft [to trade Carter-Williams], but they couldn’t draw the trove they envisioned or guarantee that the player they wanted with an acquired pick would be there, per several league sources. Expect Philly to repeat the exercise. It’s not a shot at Carter-Williams, or even a signal that the Sixers are dying to trade him. He may well end up a long-term cog in Philly. The team knows point guard is the most replaceable position in the league today, and it will seek out any deal that adds to its stockpile of high-value draft picks.”"
More from NBA Rumors
- NBA Rumors: OKC, Spurs, and Raptors viewed as landing spots for a MVP
- NBA Rumors: 3 teams emerge as most-likely Giannis destinations
- Report: Miami Heat hoping to keep key player out of Lillard trade talks
- NBA Rumors: Heat have big plans to upgrade frontcourt if they land Lillard
- SuperSonics aside, these are the 5 best Seattle expansion team names
Nothing more than the typical “it-could-happen” propaganda. Truth is, there are a handful of players in the league that aren’t available in a trade scenario at any given time unless your name is
LeBron Jamesor
Kevin Durant. Any time an idea or offer is presented that can make your team better, most GMs listen.
Anyone that says point guard is the most replaceable position in the NBA is sorely mistaken. The NBA point guard position is by far the most demanding. It requires a high degree of intelligence, physicality, leadership, vision and in the modern league, considerable athleticism.
The pool of talent at the point guard position runs deeper than it ever has in a very long time; however, that doesn’t make players immediately expendable upon not fitting the bill.
Carter-Williams should only be traded under one-condition … if 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie is truly devoted to moving good players off the Sixers team, in turn creating more misery for the Philadelphia fans.
He averaged 16.7 points, 6.2, rebounds and 6.3 assists in his rookie season. Sure he’s had his share of injuries, but he still completed 70 games last season. That’s 70 more than Nerlens Noel last year and certainly more than rookie Joel Embiid will collect this season. Get off MCW’s back already.
The only bit of truth to this “rumor” is that guys are always one step away from being on the move. The Carter-Williams trade scenarios have been around for some time. There’s no reason to suggest he’ll be moved any time soon; however, there’s no proof to suggest he’s involved in an accelerated scenario that’ll get him out of town asap.
On to further business for Hinkie, head coach Brett Brown and Carter-Williams.