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Right around June’s draft day there were a lot of rumors
that the Sixers were looking to potentially trade their reigning Rookie of the
Year, Michael Carter-Williams. In an ever-ongoing effort to stockpile assets,
the Sixers were trying to trade their 2013 lottery pick point guard for another
high lottery pick, or so the rumors went.
The Sixers however, due to their copious cap space and
willingness to wheel-and-deal, were associated with virtually anyone and
everyone around draft day, and it was tough to determine the merit of an individual
rumored scenario.
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| Image from Philly.com |
The trading of Michael Carter-Williams-scenario seemed to be
potentially coming to fruition for a moment on draft night, as the Sixers
selected Elfrid Payton, a point guard, with their second lottery pick. Michael
Carter-Williams was present at the draft, and after the Payton selection rumors
started to swirl around the media floor that Carter-Williams may be in for an
awkward experience. The opposite occurred however, as the Sixers shipped Payton
to Orlando for the rights to Dario Saric and a future pick; a move that
seemingly secured Carter-Williams’ spot.
However, according to respected NBA writer Zach Lowe from
Grantland, Carter-Williams’ spot may not be so secure after all.
Not only does Lowe say that the Sixers ‘tried hard’ to trade
Carter-Williams during the draft, he also says that the organization is
expected to ‘repeat the exercise’ this season, meaning that they will continue
to sniff out dealing for the reigning Rookie of the Year.
From Lowe:
“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.”
In other words, the Sixers aren’t itching to move their
productive point guard, but he is far from untouchable. If what Hinkie
considered to be the right deal came long, the team would pull the trigger.
Lowe credits the replicability of the point guard position
as a big factor in any potential move regarding Carter-Williams.
“The team knows point guard is the most replaceable position in the
league today, and it will seek out and deal that adds to its stockpile of
high-value draft picks.”
High-value draft picks are all fine and good, but at some
point the team will need to build with true talent, and after the promise and
potential he displayed last season, it seems as though trading Carter-Williams
without even providing him the opportunity for an encore would be a curious
move. Carter-Williams showed marked improvement over the course of last season,
and he is fully invested in the roster rebuild, even stepping into a leadership
role after only a single season. The long, lanky guard from Syracuse also
happens to be a fan favorite. To trade all of that away for yet another unknown
would be bold, to say the least.
Sam Hinkie has been bold since he took over the reins of the
organization’s roster rebuild well over a year ago however, so nothing should
come as a shock. Carter-Williams may very well continue his career in
Philadelphia and blossom with the Sixers as they climb back into contention, but
a trade involving him remains a possibility that the organization would
consider.
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