Michael Carter-Williams, Hornets Reportedly Agree to Terms on Contract

The Charlotte Hornets and free-agent guard Michael Carter-Williams agreed to terms on a contract Saturday, according to ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman. 

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported it's a one-year deal. According to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, the contract is worth $2.7 million.

Carter-Williams, 25, spent last season with the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 45 games. He shot a career-low 36.6 percent from the floor, saw his role wildly vary from night to night and never quite fit in with the Bulls' crowded backcourt.

Chicago non-tendered Carter-Williams in June, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Hornets are Carter-Williams' fourth team in five seasons. Selected 11th overall out of Syracuse in the 2013 NBA draft, Carter-Williams broke out as a rookie with the Philadelphia 76ers, waltzing to 2013-14 Rookie of the Year honors. While flawed as a shooter, he seemed to be a developing playmaker who could use his 6'6" size to see over opposing defenses from the point guard spot.

The development never happened; if anything, Carter-Williams regressed. The Sixers shipped him to the Milwaukee Bucks at the 2015 trade deadline in what became a regrettable deal for every team outside of Philadelphia. Carter-Williams never fit in Milwaukee, and the Bucks sent him to the Bulls in October. 

"I think my game has matured," Carter-Williams told reporters in April. "I think I'm more of a leader on the floor. I try to do all of the little things. I think my overall game has improved. I'm playing a different role, but I think my game has improved a lot."

Carter-Williams is likely not going to become an NBA star; he might never become good enough of a shooter to be consistently usable again. But he's 25, has a history of some NBA success and is a good passer with elite size and vision at his position.

This is a fine buy-low move.