“The Process” began in 2013-14, with Sam Hinkie trading away Jrue Holiday in a stunning draft-night trade. Michael Carter-Williams wasn’t part of that trade, but the 11th overall pick ended up becoming one of “The Process'” most notable players.
That season, MCW was the bell cow for an uninspiring Sixers team. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors over Victor Oladipo. For a moment in time, he looked like the budding star the process was supposed to yield.
His successful run with the Sixers was short-lived, however, as Hinkie dealt MCW midway through the 2014-15 season. That trade embodied Hinkie’s foresight, as several valuable assets went to Philadelphia in return.
That included the Los Angeles Lakers’ pick in 2018, which the Sixers turned into Zhaire Smith and an unprotected 2021 first-round pick. MCW joined the Houston Rockets on a league minimum contract this summer.
MCW was one of “The Process'” most entertaining players. Empty stats or not, he put up strong numbers on a team that lacked go-to options. For one season, he was a beacon of hope as the Sixers embarked on a long rebuild.
In some capacity, MCW’s stats have declined every season since his rookie year. His scoring worsened, his efficiency worsened, and his primary weaknesses never got better. As a non-shooter, his fit in the modern NBA has been called into question.