Bucks point guard Michael Carter-Williams says he feels much better after having surgery on his hip. Credit: Brett Davis

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St. Francis — Michael Carter-Williams can see a future with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 24-year-old point guard bounced back and forth from the starting unit to a reserve role during his first full season with the Bucks. Then he had his season cut short when he underwent surgery March 10 in Vail, Colo., to repair a torn labrum in his left hip.

Carter-Williams was at the Cousins Center on Monday and spent some time talking with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has thrived since being inserted as the starting point guard.

The two players have bonded since Carter-Williams' arrival in a February 2015 trade. But can they coexist in the same Bucks lineup?

Carter-Williams, who will be in the fourth and final year of his rookie-scale contract next season, is certain they can.

"I want to get back to the basics a little bit, work with different guys and come back strong for next year," Carter-Williams said. "We're (he and Giannis) definitely sharing some things.

"He's had a lot of success....When he plays the point guard (spot) he has a really good mentality.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I could stay coming off the bench, or I could be back in the starting lineup. We don't know. If I do go back to the point guard, it's how can we get the best out of you (Giannis)."

Carter-Williams admitted the Bucks have not lived up to expectations. The team had high hopes of returning to the playoffs and advancing in the postseason, after taking the Chicago Bulls to six games in a first-round Eastern Conference series a year ago.

But the Bucks are 30-44 and lottery-bound with just eight games remaining and already thinking about ways to get better next season.

"I think we know what it takes now," Carter-Williams said. "I think we came in kind of blindly. Jabari (Parker) has come into his own. It was a rough stretch for him, and since the all-star break he's playing like we all know he can play.

"The biggest thing for us as a team is to finish out this season strong and keep improving every day."

Carter-Williams said he injured his hip in a Dec. 9 home game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I was trying to go through a screen and I got hit (from the side and behind)," Carter-Williams said. "I felt something in my hip but I thought it was something little.

"It got worse and worse over time, to the point where I couldn't sit down. That's when I knew something was wrong."

Carter-Williams said he feels much better since having the surgery. The recovery period is expected to be about three months so he should be able to prepare fully for next season.

"I'm definitely more than willing to be here," Carter-Williams said of training in Milwaukee. "I like it here and I'm focused here."

Carter-Williams averaged 11.5 points and 5.2 assists but also 2.8 turnovers in 54 games, including 37 starts. He shot 45.3% from the field and 27.3% from three-point distance.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd twice took the 6-foot-6 Carter-Williams out of the starting lineup for extended stretches, once in late November and again before the all-star break when Antetokounmpo was installed as the primary ball-handler.

"The second one we had no bench," Kidd said. "It was voluntary in the sense of being able to help your team. We had no one coming off the bench.

"Both times it worked. Michael is young and still getting better. This is an important summer for him."

Kidd said it's vital for Carter-Williams to work on his shooting and post game. The Bucks coach said Carter-Williams and Antetokounmpo should be able to play together.

"Michael is able to guard the point," Kidd said. "Giannis isn't going to guard the point. You've got to have a small on the floor. With Michael being able to work on his jump shot and become consistent, it only makes us better."

Carter-Williams was the centerpiece of the three-team trade that sent Brandon Knight from Milwaukee to Phoenix and also brought guard Tyler Ennis and center Miles Plumlee to the Bucks.

The 2014 rookie of the year as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Carter-Williams suddenly faces an uncertain path. But he believes it will work out.

"We have a very strong relationship," Carter-Williams said of his friendship with Antetokounmpo. "We're honest with each other. We're not going to hide anything or shy away.

"We don't get into that. Whatever coach has planned for us, we're going to make the best out of it."

Carter-Williams said he had surgery for a right shoulder injury before his two years at Syracuse and recovered well. That was before the 2011-'12 season.

He said he started therapy just a few days after undergoing his hip surgery. He already is working with the Bucks training staff on his recovery.

"I'm hopefully going to come into next season healthy," he said. "No injuries."