Syracuse Basketball: 5 Best NBA Draft Scenarios for Michael Carter-Williams

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I know it's not official and many of you are hopping on your left foot with your right arm above your head and your eyes closed...it's only weird when it doesn't work...but our talking about Michael Carter-Williams going to the NBA won't cause it to happen.

Seriously.

So, let's just say that on the very remote, ever so slight chance that he does in fact enter the upcoming NBA draft...HE'S GOING!... let's take a look at the five best spots for him.

The first parameter is the likelihood that the team will be in a position to draft MCW. Get rid of those Miami Heat dreams now.

The second is the team's current point guard situation. Teams like Washington (John Wall), Detroit (Brandon Knight) and Philadelphia (Jrue Holiday) are unlikely to take him.

The last parameter was his best chance to succeed and contend for a championship.

Off we go. Breathe Orange fans, breathe. Tyler Ennis is on his way.

5. Sacramento Kings

DeMarcus Cousins
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2011-12 record: 22-44, 15th in the West.

2012-13 record: 17-33, 13th in the West.

Current Point Guard Situation:

Tyreke Evans: 15.3 PPG, 3.1 APG

Isaiah Thomas: 11.6 PPG, 3.2 APG

Significant Others:

DeMarcus Cousins: 17.2 PPG, 10 RPG

My thought here is moving Tyreke Evans to shooting guard and having a nice three-guard rotation with Carter-Williams, Evans and Thomas. It would be a versatile, high-scoring backcourt.

Cousins up front is a dynamic offensive force, providing his head is on right. Not a given.

4. Orlando Magic

Jameer Nelson
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2011-12 record: 37-29, 6th in East. First-round loss to Indiana.

2012-13 record: 14-34, 12th in East.

Point Guard Situation:

Jameer Nelson: 14.9 PPG, 7.2 APG

Significant others:

Arron Afflalo: 16.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3 APG

J.J. Redick: 15.3 PPG, 4.5 APG, 40% 3PT

Glen Davis: 15.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG

Andrew Nicholson: 7.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG

While Nelson is a nice point guard, he is in his ninth year. There are a few nice pieces with Redick outside and Davis inside. The Magic certainly have a long way to go, but MCW would be a great start.

3. Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki
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2011-12 record: 36-30, 7th in West. First-round loss to Oklahoma City.

2012-13 record: 20-28, 11th in West.

Point Guard Situation:

Darren Collison: 12.8 PPG, 5.2 APG

Significant Others:

Dirk Nowitzki: 14.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG

O.J. Mayo: 17.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.4 APG

Darren Collison is a terrific player who was named to the All-Rookie first team in 2010 and is only in his fourth year. His size, however, worries me. At only 6' and 175 pounds, he's better suited to come off the bench in the rotation and play fewer minutes.

Obviously Dirk is having a down year, and at his age his ability to bounce back certainly deserves to be questioned. But he and Mayo do provide great scoring help for their point guard.

The Mavs are positioned to be players in the upcoming free-agent market, so there is a strong possibility that there will be at least one more piece in place for Carter-Williams should he wind up there next year.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant
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2011-12 record: 41-25, 3rd in West. Second-round loss to Oklahoma City.

2012-13 record: 22-26, 10th in West.

Point Guard Situation:

Steve Nash: 11.7 PPG, 7.8 APG

Significant Others:

Kobe Bryant: 27.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 5.4 APG

Dwight Howard: 16.5 PPG, 11.9 RPG

Pau Gasol: 13.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG

Surprised? Don't be. Never mind Dwight Howard, Kobe is the real Superman on this team but even he can't do this by himself. Howard's lingering health problems and Gasol's recent planter fascia tear devastate this team.

I don't see them making the playoffs, and that puts them in the running for Carter-Williams. Future Hall of Famer Steve Nash is running out of time at the age of 38. Playing with Nash for a year would be a terrific learning experience for any young point guard.

The Lakers need some more pieces but are never far away with Kobe breathing. Next year's team won't look like this year's.

1. Utah Jazz

Al Jefferson
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2011-12 record: 36-30, 8th in West. First-round loss to San Antonio.

2012-13 record: 27-22, 7th in West.

Point Guard Situation:

Mo Williams: 12.9 PPG, 6.7 APG

Earl Watson: 2.0 PPG, 4.2 APG

Jamaal Tinsley: 4.2 PPG, 5.0 APG

Significant Others:

Al Jefferson: 171. PPG, 9.5 RPG

Paul Milsap: 14.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG

Gordon Hayward: 13.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.5 APG

The Jazz are the best team that you haven't heard of. In addition to the significant players listed, they have two promising, young players in Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors. Mo Williams is a decent player but would be outstanding as the backup point guard to Carter-Williams.

The Jazz are athletic and get up and down the floor, a perfect fit for MCW.

 

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