As the trade deadline ticked down, it looked like the Sixers were done trading for the day (after they got Javale McGee and a 1st rounder from Denver.) The final seconds came down and a huge trade came out. The Philadelphia 76ers had traded away the 2013-14 Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-WIlliams (MCW).

The 76ers received the Lakers pick from the Suns (since this was a 3 team deal between the 76ers, the Suns, and the Bucks) which is Top 5 protected this year and Top 3 protected in next years draft. Sam Hinkie, Philadelphia’s general manager, was “blown away” by what the Suns offered in the deal and that was the only way he would be able to trade MCW. The Suns biggest part of the deal was them getting Brandon Knight from Milwaukee while the Bucks received point guard MCW.

MCW did have many of things wrong with his style of play. He could not shoot the ball and since the 76ers rebuild is centered around Joel Embiid, a one of a kind type of center, they need a guard that can shoot the ball.

You see it with Duke. Almost every play they give the ball too Jahlil Okafor in the post, he gets doubled, then what does he do? He passes it to a guard (specifically Tyus Jones or Quinn Cook) for a wide open three pointer. Williams simply can’t hit an open 3 pointer or even a mid-range jumper.

Carter-William’s stats were also very, VERY inflated on this team. He’s playing with a bunch of scrubs that wouldn’t even hit the floor for more than 5 minutes on other teams. Statistically he has depreciated from his last season, that is not supposed to happen. With more experience, a player is supposed to do better, not get worse. His passing IQ isn’t too high and the only thing that really makes Williams stand out is his height and his ball handling (which isn’t even that great for a Point Guard.) He averages over 4 turnovers a game, 4 that is awful.

Yes, Carter-Williams was very good for the 76ers, and, yes ,I do give him his credit, but, with him I believe the team would continue as a mid-level team in the weak Eastern conference. MCW is also shooting 14.7% on all jump shots this year. His shot is just broke. He simply doesn’t have one.

For Sixers fans to say the team has taken a step back in the rebuilding process by trading him is blasphemous. It needs these top tier picks that get you the Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Michael Jordan’s in order to be a dominant team. MCW would not have been that much of a difference maker. Carter-Williams is a good, but will never be a great point guard if he can’t shoot.

The league is changing.  A point guard needs to be able to shoot the ball.

Need proof of this? Take a look at Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, and Kemba Walker all have good shots. Even Tony Parker had to adapt to being able to shoot the ball. He has a lights out mid-range; Carter-Williams doesn’t even have a good mid-range jumper. How can the Sixers be a great team in the future with a point guard like that? He’s just going to clog the paint up even more for big men Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel (who look like our two players they’re are building around.)

Maybe MCW will be a better fit for a team like the Milwaukee Bucks. Hopefully the Sixers will be able to get star OSU guard D’Angelo Russell and turn this franchise around in the next couple of years and we can once again be a power team in the NBA.