LA Clippers: 3 teams that should pursue a trade for Lou Williams
By Dalton Sell
Rumors are swirling that the LA Clippers could look to trade three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams ahead of next season.
The LA Clippers are reportedly not done making roster moves just yet.
According to the New York Times’ Marc Stein, LA’s next move could see them part ways with sixth man Lou Williams through trade. As Stein put it:
"“The additions of Ibaka and Luke Kennard (via trade with Detroit) are just the beginning; many rival teams also expect the Clippers to trade Lou Williams in their quest to create a fresh-start environment after they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Nuggets.”"
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Williams is coming off an abysmal postseason showing with the Clippers, where he underperformed significantly. Throughout 13 games, the 34-year-old averaged 12.8 points on .425/.235/.811 shooting splits, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. The guard failed to replicate the scoring prowess that he has made a living out of and proved to be a liability on the defensive end night in and night out.
However, one bad trip to the postseason should not shun Lou Williams out entirely. He is a three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner for a reason, arguably one of the greatest reserves of all time. After all, that subpar postseason run has clouded the fact that Williams averaged 18.2 points and 5.6 assists per game during the regular season.
If the Clippers are indeed shopping the guard, they will likely have several suitors looking to bolster their bench with the offensively-gifted sixth man. With an expiring $8 million salary left on his current deal, Williams is easy for teams to digest financially, which only sweetens the deal.
LA’s potential asking price for Lou Williams remains unknown at the moment, but if the LA Clippers are shopping him around, here are three teams that should inquire about his services.