The Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls have reportedly agreed to swap guards Michael Carter-Williams and Tony Snell, according to Jeff Goodman of ESPN.
Zach Lowe and Marc Stein also reported late Saturday night that both teams were in deep discussions about swapping the two. Milwaukee is in desperate need of help on the perimeter after Khris Middleton suffered a torn hamstring just days before training camp started. The injury is expected to keep him out for most of the year.
Snell, a 6’7 wing, struggled to crack the Bulls’ rotation despite being a reliable three-point shooter. Through his three seasons in the Windy City, the New Mexico product shot 35 percent from deep, including 36.1 percent last season. Outside of shooting from distance, Snell has struggled mightily on defense and struggles to make shots overall.
How Jason Kidd will use him in the rotation has yet to be seen. There is the chance that he’ll be the starter in Middleton’s place, but the drop off in talent is severe, and the Bucks may have no other choice.
The Bulls got the better end of the deal with MCW, who won the Rookie of the Year back in 2013-14. As a creator, Carter-Williams is above average, and he averaged 5.2 assists per game last year for Milwaukee. Before that, though, he was consistently handing out upwards of six assists per night with Philly. At 6’6, he’s able to see over the defense, and he’s a solid enough passer to hit the open man through tight windows.
Because of the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo, hip surgery, and an inability to space the floor, Carter-Williams’ role became lesser and lesser.
MCW’s length is perfect for being disruptive on defense, and he’d flourish on the perimeter if he were in the right system, and the Bulls now have a second point guard who’ll play the passing lanes effectively.
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