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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Likeliest Players To Not Be With Team After Trade Deadline

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (right) talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 108-87. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (right) talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 108-87. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Likeliest Players To Not Be With Team After Trade Deadline
Jan 22, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Lou Williams

Williams has become one of the best trade assets not only on the Lakers, but in the NBA. Williams is in the midst of a career season and if the Lakers want to engage in trade talks surrounding him, he should bring back a solid haul.

But can the Lakers afford to trade Williams? Despite his role as the Sixth Man, the team is exponentially better with him on the court than off. When Williams is on the court, the Lakers have a net rating of -1.3; when he is off that number plummets to -12.5 for a differential of -11.2. The Lakers are much better offensively with Williams on the court and also improve defensively.

Related Story: 3 Potential Landing Spots For Lou Williams

He does a multitude of things when he is on the court as well. He is having a career season shooting the ball, averaging 18.6 points per game. He also has a strong assist percentage at 22.8, so he can run an offense if need be.

Williams has entrenched himself as one of the best sixth men in the NBA this season. He is putting up great numbers despite playing only 24.2 minutes per game. There are a number of contenders that could use a scoring punch like Williams provides in their second unit.

Unlike Young, Williams would not be a rental player. His contract runs through the 2017-18 season, so the Lakers could expect a bigger package for a player that will be with the team beyond this season and is owed a very reasonable $7 million next season.

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