Michael Carter-Williams has missed the Milwaukee Bucks last four games with injury, and they have actually looked pretty good without him. At first, the Bucks were just calling it a knee injury, but late last week they added a hip injury designation into the mix.
It turns out that hip injury that was thrown in there was quite a bit more serious than the knee injury they initially thought was the problem. Carter-Williams is dealing with a torn labrum in his left hip and will miss the rest of the season to undergo surgery.
The surgery for Carter-Williams' hip will take place on Thursday, March 10, general manager John Hammond announced. The expected recovery time for MCW after the surgery is about three months, which will allow him to be ready for training camp next season.
Carter-Williams is in his second season with the Bucks after being acquired in a trade-deadline deal a year ago. The former Rookie of the Year is someone head coach Jason Kidd really wanted because he reminded Kidd of himself, but Carter-Williams has been a bit underwhelming in a little more than one season in Milwaukee.
In 54 games this year, including 37 starts, Carter-Williams averaged 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. Those numbers don't look all that bad, but Carter-Williams has had trouble with turnovers and hasn't shown much improvement on his long-range jump shot. Add those factors to the fact that the offense has looked better with the ball in Giannis Antetokounmpo's hands, and you get an idea of Carter-Williams' value to the Bucks.
The 24-year-old point guard is still under contract with the Bucks for next season, but his future with the team is uncertain. Milwaukee figures to be very active this offseason in trying to improve its roster and Kidd has made it somewhat clear he doesn't see MCW as his point guard of the future. Kidd may look to improve the point guard position this offseason and that could lead to Carter-Williams being dealt away from Milwaukee.
Carter-Williams is still very young and talented and has improved his efficiency this year, but there are areas where he hasn't shown the necessary improvements. Carter-Williams still may end up becoming a very good NBA player, but we may have already seen his last NBA game as a Milwaukee Buck.
