The Orlando Magic signed Michael Carter-Williams to a 10-day contract hoping to boost the team’s bench and defense. That is where his success will lie.
The Orlando Magic’s point guard situation can aptly be described as less than ideal.
It was the biggest question facing the team the whole season. Both the starter and the depth behind him. It was consistently ranked as one of the worst point guard situations around the league.
The Magic still have some long-term questions to answer at the position moving forward. But the big, long-term questions are for the offseason. The Magic needed to find some stability and consistency in the present. They had to make the most of a bad situation.
D.J. Augustin has stepped in admirably this year. He is at the very least a consistent option for the team. It may not be a long-term answer and cause some problems defensively (especially for the playoffs) but Augustin is a steady presence.
The backup role has been a more difficult nut to crack for the Magic.
Jerian Grant struggled in the role to start the year, shooting poorly and generally not keeping the team relatively organized. Isaiah Briscoe did not produce a lot in the box score, but his energy and spark got the Magic moving at a quicker pace within their offense. The Magic soared with Isaiah Briscoe in charge of the second unit.
The team acquired Markelle Fultz as a long-term solution, hoping the former top overall pick could become a budding star to grow with the team’s young core. But he was not likely ever to play for the team this year and help with this year’s playoff race. He was a long-term play.
A torn meniscus likely ended Briscoe’s season and halted the momentum he had built. And while Jerian Grant’s individual numbers have looked strong since he became the backup point guard again, it is undeniable something is still off.
It is with that in mind the Magic made a change, looking to regain some of that pace and energy in their second unit.
Orlando added former Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams to the roster on a 10-day contract Friday. It brings another point guard into the fold — one who fits the John Hammond/Jeff Weltman profile favoring defensive-minded, lengthy players.
The Magic have to hope on this trial basis, Michael Carter-Williams can provide some form of stability to that second unit. That is never something Carter-Williams is known for.
Looking for stability, not impact
Orlando is introducing someone relatively new to the fold to try to boost the point guard position. The reality is the Magic are probably looking for stability and not expecting a major impact.
Carter-Williams might be able to refresh a bench unit for some, but the change is likely to be cosmetic. There simply is no indication Carter-Williams can make a major impact on the team’s playoff chase.
Carter-Williams has been a free agent since the Houston Rockets traded him to the Chicago Bulls in early January. The Bulls quickly cut him. He seemingly was not even worth developing on a rebuilding team.
His production has decreased precipitously and dramatically since his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2014. He averaged 16.7 points per game that season as he had full control over a team that was in the beginnings of the now-infamous “Process.”
But his poor shooting and inconsistent play — along with a slew of injuries — saw all that potential fall apart. The 76ers moved him during his sophomore year, unconvinced he was their future at point guard.
This year has felt like rock bottom. Carter-Williams averaged 4.3 points per game and 1.3 assists per game this year for the Rockets in 9.1 minutes per game. He shot a 46.7 percent effective field goal percentage.
That was a solid increase over his shooting last year where he built at least a small connection with coach Steve Clifford. Last year with the Charlotte Hornets, Carter-Williams struggled with various injuries to play in only 52 games. In 16.1 minutes per game, he averaged 4.6 points per game and 2.2 assists per game.
His defense is something he can at least hang his hat on somewhat. He posted a +2.0 defensive box plus-minus last year. While on the court, the Hornets posted a 105.7 defensive rating, nearly three points per 100 possessions better than the team’s typically sterling average. Of course, the offense cratered too.
Carter-Williams’ calling
If the Magic are banking on anything from Carter-Williams in this 10-day tryout, it is to see if he can provide more defensive stability at the point guard position.
With Grant in the game, the Magic post a 106.8 defensive rating, the third-worst mark on the team. But that is at least still better than the team’s overall average. Since the All-Star Break, the Magic have a 102.3 defensive rating with Grant on the floor.
Defense is hardly the issue for the Magic off the bench right now. But certainly, Grant is not considered a plus-defender. He has been at least neutral by defensive box plus-minus. But it has been a mixed bag.
If what the Magic are looking for is a more consistent defensive presence, Carter-Williams might be a safer bet to make than Grant. But it is also a mixed bag with him.
Orlando Magic
Any offense Carter-Williams can provide would be a bonus. As long as he does not detract from the Magic’s offense, then he could find success. But Carter-Williams is not likely to turn into a plus shooter (certainly from the outside). Grant certainly has the advantage there at least as a perimeter shooter.
Where Carter-Williams might add some benefit is in some ability to get to the basket. He is a much more successful and capable driver even if he is not a great finisher or a threat to pull up and shoot.
Looking to replace Briscoe
It is rare for a guy on a 10-day contract to make a major impact. Perhaps the expectation for Carter-Williams, if he can step into the rotation, is to bring a stronger defensive presence and consistent play on that end.
That might help the team in small ways. The Magic’s main goal is probably to get a pesky defender like Briscoe who can bulldoze his way into the paint. Orlando wants to copy the energy and pace Briscoe played with. Carter-Williams can do some of those things, but not all of them effectively.
The reality is Carter-Williams is an interesting flyer to take at this point in the season. But one not likely to make a huge impact. Maybe the Magic can strike gold and Carter-Williams can use his familiarity with Clifford and the coaching staff to help the team strike gold.
More likely, this move will keep things much the same as they are now with only marginal improvements.