The NBA trade rumors were hot over the summer with Kevin Love and as that was going on, Michael Carter-Williams was being shopped in a trade by the Philadelphia 76ers and they reportedly 'tried hard' to move him this offseason and Zach Lowe from Grantland writes that the team could do it again at the deadline this season.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Carter-Williams was being shopped heavily by the Sixers last summer and that came after he won the rookie of the year award. Grantland writer Zach Lowe reports that the Sixers likely were hoping to get a deal with Williams's value higher than it might ever get. Williams had a strong season with 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, but some wrote that off as a player putting up solid stats with a terrible team, which the Sixers were last season.
There was some trade talk that bubbled up during the NBA draft with Williams, as the Sixers took a point guard high, but they ended up trading the rights to that pick. The Sixers have been accused of tanking on purpose over the past few years and this news about trying to trade Williams will not stop any of that from getting bigger. The team obviously did not pull off the deal, but down the line they could look at making a move if a team is willing to give a package or picks that the Sixers feel is worth it.
The Sixers drafted Joel Embiid with the third overall pick in the draft this year and there is a chance he will miss the year and that was the same thing that happened with Nerlens Noel. Williams was the best player on a very bad team in Philly last season and that is one reason why some have not looked at him as they do at other young players like Kyrie Irving and John Wall. Obviously those players have more experience, but as rookies they were seen as budding superstars, while Williams is not held in that regard.
While Williams could turn out to be that great, many have wondered what he would have done on a different team last season. Clearly some execs thought the same thing, as the Sixers did not get the type of package they wanted for Williams when they shopped him. The Sixers are 1-3 in the preseason and many think they will once again be looking to tank and a trade for Williams could be part of that plan.
The team is looking to build a winner, but right now that doesn't seem to be a priority and a year after ranking last in the league in points allowed, they likely will be there again. Teams will be making calls about Carter-Williams no matter what happens this season and the Sixers likely will be looking for picks if any teams come calling. Also watch out for the team getting in on a three team trade this year, as there are a number of expiring contracts teams will be looking to offload.