The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to sign restricted free agent point guard Michael Carter-Williams to a one-year contract worth $2.7 million. The contract cannot officially be signed until the end of the NBA’s moratorium period on July 6th.
RealGM broke the news on Saturday evening:
Michael Carter-Williams Agrees To Sign With Hornets: https://t.co/SmwUBWwMxa pic.twitter.com/oZveywKjUA
— RealGM (@RealGM) July 1, 2017
Minutes later, Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today confirmed the report, including details of the contract.
Hornets getting Michael Carter-Williams for $2.7 million for 2017-18 season, I'm told. https://t.co/FEzgJaZODw
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) July 1, 2017
Michael Carter-Williams Agrees to Contract With Charlotte Hornets
Since he is a restricted free agent, Carter-Williams’ incumbent team, the Chicago Bulls, will have three days to match the contract. If they choose not to, Michael Carter-Williams will officially become a member of the Hornets.
Carter-Williams averaged 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game last season for the Chicago Bulls. Recovering from injuries, the former Syracuse standout shot 36.6 percent from the field and shot 75.3 from the free throw line in his contract year. His free throws percentage is higher than his career average and he continues to show room for improvement on the Chicago Bulls. Carter-Williams fought through injuries and played 45 regular season games. He has reached 70 games only in his rookie season.
Looking forward, Carter-Williams will provide the sparks and try to show why he was a high draft pick. He has begun to show maturity in his game, although injuries have stopped him from showing it consistently. While backing up Kemba Walker (should Chicago choose to not match the offer sheet), Carter-Williams will look to prove that he can still be a valuable rotation player in this league and can meet his potential. The Hornets will need Carter-Williams to stay healthy and available in order to contend for a playoff spot next season.
Carter-Williams is going into his fifth season in the league, during which he’ll turn 26 years old. Until this point, he has played for many teams, including Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Chicago. Back in 2014, Carter-Williams won Rookie of the Year while averaging 16.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
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