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NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks’ Most Realistic Trade Targets

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) and guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) celebrate following a basket during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 90-88. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) passes the ball to guard Khris Middleton (22) during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks won 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) passes the ball to guard Khris Middleton (22) during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks won 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Carter-Williams, Milwaukee Bucks

Position: Point Guard

Age: 24

2015-16 Salary: $2,399,040

Contract Expires: 2017 (Restricted Free Agent)

Slash Line: .453/.289/.664

Season Averages: 30.4 MPG, 11.5 PPG, 5.5 APG, 5.1 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

In the midst of a 22-32 season, the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly in fire-sale mode. Some players are reasonably untouchable, but other high-profile names are on the market and available for a potential suitor to try their luck.

That includes former Rookie of the Year and current starting point guard Michael Carter-Williams, whom Gery Woelfl of The Racine Journal Times reports is available in trade discussions.

"Based on conversations with several NBA execs from the Eastern and Western conferences, the Bucks are more than receptive to playing “Let’s Make a Deal.’’ And that includes possibly moving Michael Carter-Williams, who has been consistently inconsistent since joining the Bucks. Carter-Williams has had some dynamic games this season, like an 18-point, 13-assist outing against Sacramento and a 20-point, 12-assist showing against Chicago."

Given how far he’s fallen since winning Rookie of the Year in a seemingly distant 2013-14, the market price shouldn’t be too steep.

Carter-Williams is one of the most statistically impressive players in the NBA. According to Basketball-Reference.com, MCW joins Stephen Curry, James Harden, Rajon Rondo, and Russell Westbrook as the only players averaging at least 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in 2015-16.

The difference between Carter-Williams and the other four players—even Rondo is shooting an efficient 35.8 percent from beyond the arc—is that he’s a liability as a scorer from anywhere outside the paint.

That’s the hurdle for the Knicks, which must weigh its options on the Carter-Williams front. On one hand, he’s the facilitator and defensive asset that the team has been longing for; on the other, he’s a non-factor without the ball in his hands.

Carter-Williams’ jump shot has become an albatross on what was once the road to stardom, but if New York is confident that it can fix it, a gamble on the former Syracuse Orange star would be wise.

Next: A Long-Awaited Return

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