Michael Carter-Williams

Philadelphia 76ers' Michael Carter-Williams smiles at the crowd towards the end of the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, April 14, 2014, in Philadelphia. The 76ers won 113-108.

(Michael Perez)

The Sixers are looking to add franchise players to their team in the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft -- even if they have to trade their current franchise player to do so.

According to Chad Ford of ESPN, the Sixers have "bounced around" the idea of trading point guard Michael Carter-Williams, who was named the 2013-2014 NBA Rookie of the Year earlier this month.

Why would the team consider moving Carter-Wiliams, who averaged 16.7 points, 6.3 assists and 6.2 rebounds last season? According to Ford, it could have to do with their love for Australian point guard Dante Exum.

Here is what Ford had to say on the idea of Carter-Williams leaving:

The Philadelphia 76ers are Exum fans as well and if Wiggins is off the board, he's in the mix. They think Exum and Carter-Williams could play together in the backcourt, though it would not be a very good shooting tandem. I think the more obvious fit comes if they trade Carter-Williams, an idea I'm told they have bounced around.

Exum, 6-foot-6, 196 pounds, is considered a much better prospect than Carter-Williams was, who was drafted 11th overall in the 2013 Draft. Although he also struggles shooting the ball, Exum is better at getting to the basket than Carter-Williams, and is quicker than the Rookie of the Year as well.

WATCH:

Scouting report on Dante Exum

As Ford mentions, the Sixers could decide Carter-Williams and Exum might be able to coexist. Given how much Exum dominated the ball in Australia, however, it might not be a good idea to change his style of play. You also have to wonder how committed the Sixers are to Carter-Williams. Head coach Brett Brown said multiple times last season he was surprised how well the point guard played. Also, since they drafted Carter-Williams at No. 11 last season, the team does not have a ton invested in him.

If they feel they are getting a better point guard in Exum plus another asset for Carter-Williams, anything is possible. General manager Sam Hinkie showed last season that nobody is untouchable when he traded All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday.

So what could the Sixers get for Carter-Williams? That is hard to say.

The Sixers probably wouldn't move Carter-Williams unless they got a substantial offer. One possibility is a top-10 pick this year. Besides Exum, the only other top point guard prospect projected as a "franchise changer" is Marcus Smart of Oklahoma State -- although he comes with issues of his own, and is three inches smaller than Carter-Williams. The Los Angeles Lakers at No. 7 or Sacramento Kings at No. 8 might be convinced to swap their pick for Carter-Williams.

If the Sixers did not land a top-10 pick this year, however, it is hard to imagine them moving Carter-Williams.

Follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks