Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Michael Carter-Williams
Info
- Measurables: 6-foot-5, 185 pounds, sophomore guard from Syracuse University.
- Key Stats: 11.9 points, 7.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.8 steals per game.
- Projected: Top 15
- Hickory High Similarity Score
Random Fact
Carter-Williams played on the same AAU team as potential first overall pick Nerlens Noel. They are very good friends, as they used to hang out with each other every summer during their high school years. Carter-Williams was the main reason Noel almost attended Syracuse instead of Kentucky.
Fits with the Pistons because …
First of all, Carter-Williams is a point guard, which will be a need for the Pistons if they decide not to re-sign Calderon. Second, he’s the type of point guard the Pistons could use. Considering that they will probably build the franchise around Monroe and Drummond, Carter-Williams is a perfect piece because he is one of the best passing guards in this draft. He’ll do a great job of getting the ball to Monroe and Drummond in the post.
While he’s not the most efficient shooter available in the draft, Carter-Williams is one of the best shot creators available for the Pistons. His biggest issue in college was his reluctance to shoot; he could have been much more aggressive.
The best part about Carter-Williams is his height. Not often do you get a 6-5 point guard that’s not shoot-first, he also has great court vision and quick feet, something that’s a rarity in basketball.
Doesn’t fit with the Pistons because …
As I mentioned, Carter-Williams is inefficient. He only shot 44 percent from two-point range and 29 percent from three-point range. That’s a big concern for teams in the running to draft him. There isn’t anything wrong with his mechanics, it’s just that his shot selection isn’t great.
Carter-Williams also turned the ball over on 26 percent of his possessions this season for Syracuse, which could be an additional problem for the already turnover-prone Pistons backcourt. His handles (which are not bad) sometimes work to his disadvantage, as sometimes he has a tendency to force unnecessarily tough passes.
From the Experts:
"For those who argue yes, they start with his physical profile. At 6-foot-6, Carter-Williams is the tallest point guard in the draft and would be one of the tallest in the NBA. While most big point guards are really 2-guards masquerading as point guards (we’re looking at you, Tyreke Evans), Carter-Williams is a true point who sees the floor and gets others involved. In addition to his size, Carter-Williams is a very good athlete with an impressive 41-inch vertical jump and good scores in both the sprint and lane agility drills. He’s also a nightmare on the defensive end, using his length and quickness to average 2.8 steals per game."
"While Carter-Williams does not possess a huge wingspan, his combination of terrific size, quick feet and excellent instincts make him extremely difficult for opposing guards to deal with, and give him the versatility to defend multiple positions at the NBA level. Pesky, alert, and extremely intense, Carter-Williams puts great pride on this end of the floor, getting low in a stance and putting excellent pressure on the ball when called upon. He has phenomenal instincts jumping into the passing lanes and a real knack for simply stepping into the right place at the right time to take the ball away, always lurking in the background hunting for opportunities to stick his hands in. It’s no surprise that Carter-Williams ranks #1 among top-100 prospects in steals per-40 minutes, and by a fairly large margin (20%) at that."