The Sixers kept the 11th overall pick in tonight's NBA Draft -- contrary to some earlier confusion that they may have traded it -- and used it on Syracuse University's Michael Carter-Williams.
He's a 6-foot-6-inch point guard who will step right in and fill the void left by Jrue Holiday, who was traded to New Orleans just minutes before for Nerlens Noel and a 2014 semi-protected first round pick.
Our man AU actually called it earlier in the day:
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Though for reasons I can’t quite explain–maybe just my own prejudices, plus the fact that he’s one of the only guys we know for a fact the team actually worked out–I see them taking Michael Carter-Williams if he’s available. He’s talented, he’s versatile, he’s a player other teams will eventually want, and as I tried to explain yesterday, the team isn’t set enough in its current roster to worry about how the guy they take fits into their team as is
Comcast SportsNet's Sean Kane had MCW as the 2nd best PG in the draft behind Michigan's Trey Burke:
2. Michael Carter-Williams, 6-5/185, Syracuse
Carter-Williams will most likely be a lottery pick, but I'm not sold on his ability to excel at the NBA level. He drifts in and out of games, and his shooting numbers are atrocious. Carter-Williams shot 39 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range at Syracuse last season. He could have used another year of seasoning in college; he barely played as a freshman before taking over the starting point guard spot as a sophomore. There certainly are some positives with Carter-Williams - namely his size, athleticism and assist numbers. He averaged 7.3 assists and 2.8 steals last season, and he picked up his offensive game significantly during Syracuse's run to the Final Four. His skill set calls to mind Rajon Rondo. If he even approaches Rondo's level, he'll be a terrific find for whichever team selects him in the Nos. 9-15 range.
Crazy times to be a Sixers fan. Sam Hinkie has made his mark in a big way.