Los Angeles Lakers: Grading The Offseason
“Sixth Man Like Lou Will”
We all know what reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams brings to the table: instant offense, high-volume shooting off the bench…and that’s pretty much it. Three years and $21 million isn’t a terrible deal either; after all, the Lakers had already struck out on the bigger names, so using up their remaining cap room on a guy who will make the team better isn’t a bad decision.
But there is some question about how he fits with the Lakers’ suddenly crowded backcourt, both for the short-term and the long-term. Williams’ contract is certainly movable, so this isn’t a toxic deal by any means. But between Kobe Bryant, Nick Young and the 28-year-old Lou Williams, the shooting guard position is a bit crowded. Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell need minutes to develop in the backcourt as well.
Lou Williams laughing when asked who shoots the ball when both him & Nick Young are on the floor: "Whoever has it"
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 22, 2015
Swaggy P could very easily be on the trade block, and Williams won’t be starting over Kobe or Clarkson/Russell. But he might wind up taking away shots from rookies who need them or from Kobe (who demands them). With the Lakers in the middle of a rebuild, Williams doesn’t figure to be an intrinsic part of the next chapter, which means no one should be surprised if his stay in L.A. is a short one.
In a vacuum, this is a great value move. In the context of what the Lakers are trying to accomplish with their youth, all Williams accomplishes is gunning for the chance at marginal improvement and the possibility it suddenly convinces next summer’s top-heavy free agency class to consider donning the purple and gold.
Grade: C+
Next: Hauling In Bass