The Milwaukee Bucks could consider trading Michael Carter-Williams for Nick Young as the team continues to look for shooters to fill the void left by Khris Middleton.
The Bucks have a glaring need to add shooters in their lineup, with Khris Middleton potentially done for the 2016-2017 regular season after suffering a serious hamstring injury in Milwaukee's preseason workouts. Middleton, who many consider as the Bucks' best all-around player, is without a firm timetable for return, which may bode bad news for any of Milwaukee's hopes to contend this season. But exploring available players in the trade market could help the Bucks, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.
"The fact of the matter is the Bucks, if they want to remain relevant this season, have to acquire a suitable shooting guard, one who can immediately step in and hold down the fort until Middleton returns to full health," Woelfel wrote.
"According to several NBA officials, there are several wing players who could be available and fit the bill for the Bucks, depending, of course, on what the Bucks are willing to give up, whether it's Greg Monroe, Michael Carter-Williams, John Henson or a future first-round pick."
The Bucks' best trade chip is Greg Monroe, who has been linked to trade rumors after struggling to fit in the team last season. Trading Monroe should give the Bucks a valuable asset in return, but considering the players available in the trade market, and the possibility of Monroe exploring free agency next summer, Milwaukee must consider other tradable players. If the Bucks want to a low-profile deal, trading Michael Carter-Williams for Nick Young could be a viable option.
In Woelfel's reports, Young is included as one of the shooting guards the Bucks could pursue. A potential deal would work on ESPN's trade machine and under NBA salary guidelines, but it can only come to fruition depending on the Bucks' desperation to add fillers in Middleton's absence.
It is hard to imagine Young making an impact for the Bucks, especially after coming off a dismal stint with the Lakers last season, only averaging below career averages in all aspects of his game. But Young is still a capable scorer and could become a legit outside threat if given ample playing time.
But while the Lakers have been attempting to trade Young for quite a while now, it is unclear whether they would want another point guard in return. Much like Young, Williams also struggled playing for the Bucks last season, only averaging a career-low 11.5 points and 5.2 assists per game. His inability to effectively knock down shots from the three-point area has also made him an odd fit at the point guard position.
Trading him to the Lakers do not guarantee any playing time for MCW, with Los Angeles already stacked at the point guard position. But Williams could fit playing as a backup PG for Luke Walton's schemes. Williams could become a solid ball-handler off the bench, and his versatility on the defensive end should be an asset for Walton, just as Shaun Livingston is for the Warriors.
It remains to be seen whether the Bucks would truly consider such move, but this may not be a bad trade for the Lakers and Bucks.
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