Michael

Carter-Williams

Carter-Williams, who underwent ankle surgery in August 2021 and has not appeared in an NBA game since is headed back to Orlando. He appeared in 88 games over the course of three seasons in Orlando, averaging 7.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 0.5 3-pointers in 21.1 minutes. Carter-Williams’ return is unlikely to have a significant impact on fantasy basketball.

While Carter-Williams is expected to make a full recovery, the team says MCW will miss the start of the 2021-22 regular season, and “his return to basketball activities will depend on how he responds to treatment and rehabilitation.” The Magic are hoping Markelle Fultz (ACL) will return healthy this season and split time at PG with Cole Anthony. MCW should obviously not be selected in fantasy drafts.

“This is seven games [remaining in the season], I think it’ll be 12 days, and I’m not sure even if any of those guys are that close,” Clifford said. He also said the final seven games of the season are about “getting better, making progress,” and excluding Okeke there’s simply no incentive to get their injured veterans back on the court. There’s no reason to hold onto any of these guys in re-draft leagues. Okeke is well worth remembering on draft day, though, as he flirted with top-100 value over the season’s final month, displaying a specialist-level knack for steals (1.6 in under 30 minutes per game).

MCW has missed four straight games. We’re considering him ‘out indefinitely’ and won’t update him until there’s something substantive to pass along.

It’ll be his third straight game on the sidelines, and him getting ruled out a full day in advance of tip-off tells us he’s still not close. Cole Anthony will continue to see 30-plus minutes as a starter while MCW is out.

Carter-Williams’ absence ensures that Cole Anthony will make another start, and it would not be a surprise if Orlando’s first-round pick remains with the first five when MCW is cleared to return. His absence also means that Chasson Randle will remain in the rotation as Orlando’s backup point guard. Unlike Anthony, Randle isn’t worth rostering in most leagues.

Carter-Williams’ absence will leave additional minutes for Cole Anthony and Chasson Randle. Anthony is the better fantasy choice though he’s struggled with his shot. Even if he starts, he isn’t the most reliable fantasy option.

Carter-Williams continues to start as Cole Anthony works his way back into game shape following a lengthy layoff, and while MCW did play well tonight, he was playing like basura in the three games prior. Anthony is the Orlando PG you want on your fantasy roster, and he finished tonight’s game with 10 points, three rebounds, five assists and just one turnover across 21 minutes.

Michael Carter-Williams started again and played 23 minutes, but hit just 1-of-5 shots for three points, two assists and three steals. Eventually, you have to think Anthony will replace MCW in the starting five, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Rookie Cole Anthony is back in the lineup and for the second straight game he played more minutes than MCW, despite coming off the bench. The countdown to MCW’s fantasy irrelevance has begun.