NBA Trade Rumors You Need To Know A Week Before Deadline
Lakers Are Actively Shopping Lou Williams
For most of the 2016-17 campaign, the Lakers have been adamant about their lack of interest in a trade. They were willing to listen, but weren’t actively seeking a deal. Well, it appears that’s no longer the case.
According to Hoops Hype’s Adam Kennedy, the Lakers have been shopping Lou Williams ahead of the 2017 trade deadline. While it’s unclear what they could get in return, now is the time to sell high on the Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
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Seeing how effective he’s been, it may also be in the team’s best interests to get him off the roster. As Kennedy mentioned, the Lakers “have a lot riding on this year’s lottery.”
Their 2017 first-round pick is top three-protected, meaning it goes to the Philadelphia 76ers if it ends up anywhere after No. 3 overall.
Having Williams isn’t helping their cause in terms of securing that pick.
The 30-year-old guard has been an absolute spark plug off the bench this season. The Lakers have certainly enjoyed his presence, but would like to have the extra minutes to give to youngsters D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson.
A potential contender would love to have his scoring potential off the bench, and would likely pay handsomely for it.
It appears Williams will be playing for a different team by Feb. 24. It would be a disappointing loss for the Lakers, but a top-three pick would bring more long-term value to this roster than Williams will.