Kidd kiboshes Carter-Williams trade rumors: He's 'going to help us win'
With all the trade rumors surrounding former NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams of late, his demotion to the second unit, and Giannis Antetokounpo being named the starting point guard, it's easy to assume he's on borrowed time with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Well, hold your horses, because head coach Jason Kidd told SiriusXM NBA Radio's Tina Cervasio and Rick Mahorn on Friday there are no plans to send Carter-Williams anywhere.
"Rumors, that's just part of the business," Kidd said. "We're happy with Michael. Michael has had a great summer, and he's worked extremely hard. It showed in the first game in Chicago when he came off the bench and I think he led us in rebounds."
The 24-year-old flirted with a triple-double in the team's preseason opener, scoring 10 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out six assists in 28 minutes in a narrow 93-91 win at the United Center.
"Michael can be one of the best wing defenders in this league," Kidd added. "Again, he helped us late in the game, running the team at the point guard position. So, there's always speculation around different guys, but Michael is going to help us win."
Carter-Williams' name has been linked to both the Sacramento Kings and Charlotte Hornets in potential trades involving the likes of Ben McLemore and Jeremy Lamb.
He had season-ending surgery in March to repair a torn labrum in his hip and was also dealing with patellar tendinitis in his knee at the time.
Carter-Williams averaged 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 45 percent from the field in 54 appearances.