Michael Carter-Williams is exactly who NBA players need to refrain from being during their careers. Over the years, the league experienced a lot of change. Superteams have become exceedingly common, players are far more vocal about their opinions, the game is played at a faster pace, and everybody focuses on being a score-first player.
Positionless basketball has also become something coaches implement a lot these days. This has allowed several players to push past their limitations and explore beyond the traditional functionality of their roles. These days, we’ve witnessed players such as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Ben Simmons play as though they were point guards. Two out of the three players mentioned have also won league MVP while doing so.
Victor Wembanyama is also someone who has already made a mark on the league. Before joining the NBA, experts were amazed by his ability to shoot, score, defend, rebound, and facilitate as a seven-foot-four-inch tall player. Scoot Henderson is another example of a player who has pushed past expectations.
But with as much talent as they have, they must always stay cautious of their physical well-being. Basketball involves a lot of physical activity that has proven to be dangerous at times. Injuries were precisely what hindered Michael Carter-Williams’ progress in the league. He was projected to become an All-Star caliber athlete but the 2014 Rookie of the Year peaked in year one.
Michael Carter-Williams tried to find his way back with the Orlando Magic
After a successful rookie campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers averaging 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, Michael Carter-Williams was traded midway through his sophomore year. He was shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks for Brandon Knight and Kendall Marshall. MCW accomplished decent stats as the primary point guard for the Bucks. But he was replaced by Jerryd Bayless and shipped to the bench.
By the end of his second season with the Bucks, it was obvious that Giannis Antetokounmpo and him were not a good match. MCW eventually injured him and was diagnosed with a torn labrum. The Bucks traded him to the Bulls where he injured himself yet again a month after making his debut. He missed out on six weeks of player and return to the court to finish the season averaging 6.6 points per game.
In 2017, he found himself with the Charlotte Hornets but his performance only got even worse. After 52 appearances and averaging 4.6 points per game, Michael Carter-Williams tore his labral in his arm. He signed with the Houston Rockets but was eventually traded back to the Bulls. Chicago waived him immediately.
The Orlando Magic decided to give him a chance. Michael Carter-Williams played four seasons with the Magic averaging 6.4 points per game. However, his stint with the Magic was also filled with a series of unfortunate injuries. Following the 2022-23 season, he declined a $3.05 million option from the Magic thus entering free agency. Clearly, injuries ailed his career in the NBA and nobody knows why he was prone to them.