Dallas Mavericks Trade Options: Michael Carter-Williams Worth It?

With the NBA Trade Deadline a couple of days away, Milwaukee has reportedly made Michael Carter-Williams open for discussions. Should the Dallas Mavericks be interested?

Last year, Milwaukee put together one of the more talented young rosters in the league in the hope of setting the foundation for the future. The young Bucks team exceeded expectations, made the playoffs, and put the Eastern Conference on notice.

With expectations of being the young team looking to take the next step, the Bucks have did the exact opposite. The makeup of the team is being questioned as Milwaukee heads into the Trade Deadline sitting at the 13th spot in the East with a 22-32 record.

Word came out last week that the team was open for discussions on some of their well-known players. Of the players, was former Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams.

In what was the most shocking trade at the deadline last year, Milwaukee was involved in a three team trade that shipped out Brandon Knight for basically Michael Carter-Williams from Philadelphia. With Milwaukee questioning whether to pay Knight that offseason, they decided to bring in the cheaper Carter-Williams.

Long story short, it hasn’t exactly worked out for the Bucks as Carter-Williams hasn’t just underperformed, but has been benched at times for the veteran Jerryd Bayless at point guard.

Not only has it not worked out, but the Bucks traded for Greivis Vasquez in the offseason and received first round pick, Tyler Ennis in the three team trade also. Combining them with O.J. Mayo and newly picked Rashad Vaughn, Milwaukee has a plethora of backcourt players who could lead to Carter-Williams being the odd man out.

For the right price, should the Mavs be interested?

Pros

Age: The kid is still just 26 years old. Carter-Williams was drafted just a couple of years ago in the 2013 draft where he went 11th overall to the Philadelphia 76ers and took home the Rookie of the Year award that season. Even though some people believe it was skewed due to the lack of players in Philly, he averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists for the year.

Carter-Williams would immediately join Anderson, Powell, and Jenkins as one of the youngest players on the team. Even though he has went through a share of struggles, the former ROY still has potential written all over him.

Contract: Carter-Williams is still under contract for next season. He is slated to make just over $2 million this season with a cap number of $3.1 million next season. With the rising cap number, that would be more than a bargain.

Frame: MCW came out of Syracuse projecting to be the next big, athletic point guard out of college. Standing at 6’6″ and 190 pounds, Carter-Williams gives unique size to the position that not all teams possess. His length and athleticism on both sides of the ball would be something the Mavericks have never really had.

Jan 8, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) defends Dallas Mavericks guard Deron Williams (8) during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Cons

Shooting: One of the biggest question marks surrounding Carter-Williams is his poor shooting. He is a career 41% shooter from the field, but more importantly, he is a career 25% career three-point shooter. After being traded to Milwaukee last season, he shot just 14% from behind the arc.

This could present a problem for the Mavericks as we all watched the issues that surrounded Rajon Rondo when he orchestrated the offense. Teams would dare him to shoot the ball while double teaming other Mavericks..i.e Dirk Nowitzki.

Lack of Assists: When a point guard is limited on the offensive end (like Rondo), players look to capitalize more efficiently in other areas of their game. For Carter-Williams lack of shooting ability, he is averaging just over 5.5 assists the past two seasons. Deron Williams, who is much more gifted offensively, is averaging the same amount of assists on the season.

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His Reputation: Now this is no knock against his character at all, but rather from looking at the only two teams he has played for in his career and their current point guard situation. Philadelphia traded him coming off his rookie of the year season for basically a draft pick and currently is rolling with T.J. McConnell and Ish Smith as their point guards.

In Milwaukee, they went out and traded for Greivis Vasquez over the offseason and eventually moved journeyman Jerryd Bayless into the starting lineup. They have also been connected to different point guards in trade rumors this season. So why doesn’t teams value Carter-Williams?

If the Mavericks decided to try to trade for Carter-Williams, the package could determine everything. Would a package of Raymond Felton and Dwight Powell be a suitable offer? Would a trade centered around Deron Williams and Carter-Williams be worth it for the Mavs?

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For the youth and potential left in Carter-Williams, I would love for the Mavs to get their hands on him…for the right price of course. Adding young talent to this Mavs roster would be good, and at that contract, it would be great.

Will the Mavs make a move at all? We all will wait and see.

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