Carter-Williams’ late-season spark a boost for Magic
Guard helps franchise finish 10-2, nail down 1st playoff bid since ’12
Signed March 15, reserve point guard Michael Carter-Williams made his debut for the Orlando Magic two days later against the Atlanta Hawks. He played nearly 16 minutes in his first NBA game since Dec. 19 and finished with five points and four rebounds.
His effort was a harbinger of things to come.
With Carter-Williams in the lineup, the Magic went 10-2 in their final 12 regular-season games as they clinched their first playoff berth since 2012.
Let’s take a closer look at Carter-Williams’ 2018-19 season.
Games: 12. Games started: 0.
Minutes: 18.9 per game.
Per-game averages: 5.4
points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 turnovers.
Shooting figures: .339 FG%,
.158 3P%, .741 FT%.
Contract status: He signed two 10-day contracts (March 15 and March 25) before getting a contract April 4 that kept him with the Magic through the season.
The buzz: When backup point guard Isaiah Briscoe went down with a knee injury in March, the Orlando Magic added depth at the position by signing CarterWilliams. He hadn’t played since December and hadn’t been with an NBA team since being released Jan. 19 when he was released by the Bulls. But he was known for his defensive abilities and had played the previous season in Charlotte for Magic coach Steve Clifford.
What the Magic got were heavy doses of defense and energy.The 6-foot-6 Carter-Williams certainly did not have to score to have an impact on the game. Clifford called Carter-Williams one of the best perimeter defenders he had ever coached as he used his length to cover shooters and hound ball handlers.
He had a defensive rating of 102.9 in his 12 games with the Magic, who held four opponents under 100 points in CarterWilliams’ first five games.
His ability to push the ball in transition mirrored what Briscoe had given the Magic. But CarterWilliams gave the team a different dimension with his ability to pass over defenders from the point.
Carter-Williams also gave the Magic another capable rebounder as he averaged 4.8 rebounds per game. He came up with two key rebounds (one at the end of regulation and another late in overtime) during a crucial 123-119 come-from-behind victory against the Grizzlies on March 22.
The future: Carter-Williams will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. While the Magic were thrilled with his contributions, Carter-Williams likely has put himself on the radar of other teams with his late-season play. With none of the Magic’s backup point guards signed for next year (they waived Briscoe, and Jerian Grant is a restricted free agent), they likely will at least consider bringing back Carter-Williams. A multi-year contract — from some team — could be in the cards for Carter-Williams.