Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 5:00pm

STARS CARTER-WILLIAMS, KNIGHT DEALT IN 3-TEAM, 4-PLAYER SWAP

In a 3-team trade, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired point guard Michael Carter-Williams from the Philadelphia 76ers and point guard Tyler Ennis and center Miles Plumlee from the Phoenix Suns; the Suns acquired combo guard Brandon Knight and point guard Kendall Marshall from the Bucks; and the 76ers acquired a 1-to-5 protected first-round draft pick in 2015 (via the Lakers).

What does it give the Milwaukee Bucks
In recent years the Bucks have been coveting 'long' players above all else--guys whose impressive wingspans help them play defense as well as offense. That makes Carter-Williams a perfect fit, and he's arguably an all-round upgrade over Knight (although he can't shoot like Knight can--yet). Carter-Williams is the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year so this is a minor coup. Meanwhile Milwaukee also gets an above-average center and energy guy in Plumlee (which is key considering the ongoing troubles of Larry Sanders) plus a quality backup point-man with upside in Ennis. Great haul overall for a team with playoff hopes.

What does it give the Phoenix Suns
Knight will replace the traded Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas, and join with Eric Bledsoe in one of the NBA's most promising new backcourt tandems. He can become a free agent after this season, so if he doesn't pan out as expected the Suns can move on with significant salary cap space to work with (after shedding Dragic's and Thomas' contracts). The injured Marshall was waived shortly after being acquired, so he becomes a free agent.

What does it give the Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are making some curious moves--since Carter-Williams is a rising star, as potentially is recently-traded K.J. McDaniels--but it's clear their motivation is simple: create space for the future and add draft picks.

Fantasy impact
Once he's recovered from a toe injury Carter Williams will obviously step into the Bucks' starting lineup and be as productive as ever. Plumlee should see his minutes and production improve, since Milwaukee is in need of a reliable starting center. Don't expect Ennis' fantasy fortunes to change much, since he's still learning the NBA game. In Phoenix, Knight should probably be even more productive than he was in Milwaukee (since the Suns play a much more wide-open style than the Bucks).