The Milwaukee Bucks sent 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams to Chicago Bulls for swingman Tony Snell.
Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman said they were excited to bring in a two-way player like Carter-Williams to their team, who will boost their versatility and depth in their guard rotation, according to Yahoo Sports.
Carter-Williams had averages of 16.7 points, along with 6.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals in his award-winning rookie year with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013-14. But that did not stop the 76ers from trading Carter-Williams to the Bucks in exchange for a potential future lottery pick.
His numbers were down to 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals averages in 30 minutes of playing time last season. Hip injuries kept Carter-Williams on the bench in the last two months of the 2015-16 season. Nonetheless, Carter-Williams is part of an elite group of players, along with Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Grant Hill, Steve Francis and LeBron James, who amassed averages of at least 15 points, five rebounds and six assists in their first two NBA seasons.
Carter-Williams fills the need of the Bulls for a back up point guard, with Rajon Rondo getting the role of the starter. He became expendable after the Bucks acquired Matthew Dellavedova and were able to utilize Giannis Antetokounmpo at the point, according to NBA.com. Snell only averaged 5.3 points per game in 2015-16, but the loss of swingman Khris Middleton for the entire 2016-17 season due to a tear in the hamstring prompted the Bucks to pull the trigger on the deal.
There's also the perception that Carter-Williams could not shoot, as evidenced by his 25 percent shooting from the 3-point range and a 65 percent mark from the free throw line last season, which allowed the Bucks to let him go.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd had a lot of good words for Carter-Williams, saying that he is one the better defenders in this league, a team player, has good size for a point guard, possesses athletic ability, and is very versatile in terms of playing multiple positions. Last season, Kidd asked the Bucks management to trade Carter-Williams and Greg Monroe as they didn't fit his plans.
