MCW baffled that Sixers traded him

MILWAUKEE -- If it were up to Brett Brown, Michael Carter-Williams said this morning, the reigning rookie of the year would probably still be a 76er instead of now playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Following the team's morning shootaround at the Bucks' practice facility, Carter-Williams talked of how it will feel tonight to play his first game in a Milwaukee uniform, ironically against the one that traded him there just less than a week ago. He has missed Milwaukee's past three games with a strained toe, but will make his debut tonight.

He was reflective on his time in Philly, and seemed to be still somewhat baffled at what went down with him getting moved to Milwaukee in a three-team trade in which the Sixers ended up with a first-round pick from the Lakers, which is top-five-protected this season, top-three-protected for the next two seasons.

"I think the ultimate thing that it comes down to is coach Brown coaches and Sam [Hinkie] does the moves," said MCW. "I think that's what it comes down to and I think that's the agreement and that's all I really know. I think that if it was up to coach Brown, I don't think I would have been moved, to be honest.

"I was pretty up to speed and pretty involved (disbelieving laughs). As far as I heard I was involved in the long-term plan, especially with me, Joel (Embiid) and Nerlens (Noel). It was really us three that was the core group and were told that we we're going to be (there) for a pretty long time and we really want to build around. I understand that things change and plans change. I guess that Sam and the rest of those guys thought that to move me was the best move. That's on them and it is what it is."

Carter-Williams says he doesn't know if he'll start tonight or how many minutes he'll get. He says he's just excited to get back on the court, whether it's against the Sixers or anyone else.

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