The Philadelphia 76ers could make another big move on draft night, similar to what they did last year when they traded budding point guard Jrue Holiday.
Recent rumors indicated that the 76ers might consider trading Michael Carter-Williams, who was named as the 2014 Rookie of the Year, while his value is still high at this point.
Philly.com reported that general manager Sam Hinkie might pull off another big draft-day trade, considering the fact that they have two first-round picks to deal along with Carter-Williams, who averaged 16.7 points to go along with 6.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game in his rookie season.
"No one outside the organization knows what Hinkie has in mind for the upcoming draft process, but he has three very valuable cards in his hand. He has two high first-round picks, and he has a young point guard who is probably overvalued on the open market," Philly.com noted.
Among their assets, Carter-Williams could be the one that they are willing to give up, not because they are not high on the reigning Rookie of the Year, but because they feel they can get another favorable deal on draft night like last year.
The 76ers traded away Holiday, their starting point guard last season, and got two future assets in return, including Nerlens Noel, who was regarded as a possible first-overall pick last year.
"The Sixers had a full season to analyze his game and his potential. If he is traded, it won't mean they don't think he can be a good NBA player, just as trading away Holiday was no knock on Holiday's future. It would merely mean Hinkie sees a way to get more than he gives up," Philly.com noted.
Trading away a top rookie will not be as hard as it looks for the 76ers, especially if they can get another first-rounder this year. According to Philly.com, only three Rookie of the Year awardees have led the team that drafted them to a championship - David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Michael Jordan.
And if the 76ers eventually decide to part ways with Carter-Williams, Philly.com noted that the 76ers would strongly consider drafting 6-foot-6 Australian point guard Dante Exum in the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft.
