Los Angeles Lakers: 3 former players who could help the team

1. Lou Williams

After Davis and LeBron, the Lakers’ No. 3 scorer is Kyle Kuzma. The third-year pro is a “stretch 4” power forward who has had moments where he looks like an All-Star, but has been inconsistent and struggled more than expected after a good first two years with the Lakers.

Kuzma is averaging 12.5 points per game coming off the bench, hitting 29.7 percent of his 3-pointers.

The Lakers could use a sixth man who is a more reliable source of offensive firepower, who can get hot instantly and give defenses problems in crunch time. That happens to perfectly describe Lou Williams‘ particular set of skills.

Williams spent one full season and part of a second with the Lakers from 2015-17. The three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year averaged 16.8 points per game for L.A. before he was traded to the Houston Rockets. From Houston he went to the Clippers, where he is the team’s No. 3 scorer this season behind Leonard and George.

It may not seem like it, but Williams is in his 15th NBA season. He entered the league straight out of high school in 2005, and it took him a few years to find his niche.

Finally, at 33 years old, he is being properly recognized as one of the most prolific sixth men the league has ever seen. The Lakers had him for a brief time during some of the team’s darker days, and they could use that scoring prowess now that they’re contending for a title.

Another benefit of the Lakers getting Williams back? The Clippers wouldn’t have him.