Just four years ago, Michael Carter-Williams won Rookie of the Year.
Now, the Bulls don’t even see a $4,187,599 qualifying offer as worth extending.
David Kaplan of CSN Chicago:
Bulls will not submit a qualifying offer to Michael Carter-Williams + he will become unrestricted free agent. Per John Paxson on @ESPN1000
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) June 27, 2017
Credit Sam Hinkie for trading Carter-Williams (to the Bucks) at just the right moment, netting the 76ers a valuable Lakers first-round pick that Philadelphia used to trade up for Markelle Fultz. Carter-Williams hasn’t nearly lived up to the typical production of a former Rookie of the Year.
The Bulls got Carter-Williams far cheaper from Milwaukee, for Tony Snell (who had a breakout year with the Bucks). But Carter-Williams continued to regress in Chicago. It’s just hard for a point guard with such a shaky outside shot, and Carter-Williams’ injuries haven’t helped.
With a smorgasbord of point guards that now includes Kris Dunn and Cameron Payne, the Bulls can move on.
Carter-Williams can probably latch on as a backup point guard somewhere. As an unrestricted free agent, teams will have greater comfort pursuing him. But this is a blow for someone with such a big accolade on his résumé.
