Bucks Rumors: Michael Carter-Williams Offered To Sacramento Kings?
Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: The Bucks reportedly tried to trade Michael Carter-Williams to the Sacramento Kings for Ben McLemore, but were turned away.
Milwaukee Bucks rumors have persisted throughout the offseason. The Bucks have been rumored to be shopping Greg Monroe since the trade deadline last season, and it carried through the summer. When Khris Middleton went down with an injury, the Bucks quickly began working the phones again.
They landed on the Houston Rockets and acquired Michael Beasley in exchange for Tyler Ennis. But, the Bucks do not look like they are done making moves. In addition to on-going dialogue for Monroe, the Bucks reportedly have been shopping Michael Carter-Williams.
Carter-Williams seems to have fallen out of favor with the Bucks. He was acquired in a big three-team trade between the Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns. Brandon Knight ended up in Phoenix, as Carter-Williams looked to be Jason Kidd‘s project at point guard.
That project seems to have been scrapped, as Carter-Williams no longer looks to be in the Bucks’ long-term plans. Matthew Dellavedova was signed as a free agent and looks ready to take over as the starting point guard. With their second round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Bucks selected Malcolm Brogdon from Virginia; he has seen time at point guard as well.
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Because of that, the Bucks have made Carter-Williams available. The most recent rumor that was floated around involved the Sacramento Kings. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Bucks offered Carter-Williams to the Kings in exchange for Ben McLemore.
The Kings declined that proposal, but there is no word on if there are ongoing talks between the teams. Despite being turned away by the Kings, the Bucks are expected to still work the phones to find a new home for Carter-Williams.
While the Kings were not interested in dealing at this time, they could change their mind later on, as this is a deal that could help both teams. For the Kings, they are staring down an eight-game suspension for Darren Collison because of a domestic abuse charge. With Collison sidelined, the Kings could turn to Ty Lawson as their starting point guard.
Carter-Williams could give them more security to replace Collison and another option for the backcourt. At his size, he could play off-ball as well, but his skill set doesn’t fit that too well. While he stands 6’6″, he is easily defended as a shooting guard because he has no range on his jump shot.
For the Bucks, this trade would have made a lot of sense. While they brought on Beasley for some added offensive firepower, he is not a shooting guard. McLemore would help fill that role while providing some of the things that Milwaukee will miss without Middleton.
The Bucks were 12.6 points per 100 possessions better with Middleton on the court than off; that is not production many people could fill by themselves, but McLemore would have helped. While he hasn’t been given much of a shot with the Kings, one thing we know about McLemore is that he can shoot the ball.
The 23-year old McLemore has improved his three-point shooting each season in the NBA. He shot 32 percent as a rookie but has upped it to 35.8 in his sophomore campaign and then 36.2 percent last season.
The Bucks lacked many consistent three-point shooting threats outside of Middleton last season. They added some help in the offseason with Dellavedova, Mirza Teletovic, Jason Terry and Steve Novak. McLemore would have been another addition to aid the three-point attack, but at this time it looks like he will be remaining in Sacramento.
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While the Bucks were turned away in their efforts to move Carter-Williams this time, don’t expect them to stop. They have enough players to hold down the point guard spot and could use more help in replacing Middleton, who could be sidelined for six months.