Could the Lakers trade Williams?
- Updated: February 15, 2017
With the Los Angeles Lakers seemingly set for another losing season and a fourth straight absence from the playoffs, the franchise are already making plans for next year. While much of the focus will be on the NBA draft lottery later in 2017, the upcoming trade deadline will offer the Lakers another chance at making some moves in the market. Despite the fact the season is already all but over for Luke Walton and his men, there are a number of teams throughout the league looking to cement their place in the postseason. There are also those considering adding a big name player to build a franchise around.
“Kobe Bryant” (CC BY 2.0) by Boixoesnois
The Lakers are one of those that fit into the second category, seeking to arrest a slide that has seen the franchise fail to end a regular season with more than 30 wins since 2013 and properly replace Kobe Bryant following his retirement. While not as disastrous as last year, the team currently find themselves well out of contention in the Western Conference, on their way to the 40-loss mark with a good while to go before the end of another painful campaign for the fans. One potential glimmer of hope for Lakers is their potential to make some smart trade moves before the start of next season, and use this time to make sure this grueling run of form doesn’t extend into 2018.
There are a number of players on the Lakers roster that the franchise are either keen to move on or are at least willing to trade if the price is right. While Mitch Kupchak will be determined to hang onto key players such as D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram, the same probably can’t be said for the rest of the roster. Due to either huge contracts or declining talents, players such as Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng don’t look to be heading anywhere anytime soon. There are, though, some other important members of the squad that management feel are disposable if it improved their chances of signing a talisman or securing a first round draft pick.
“Timofey Mozgov” (CC BY 2.0) by EDrost88
Lou Williams could well be one of those. The 30-year old has been a hit in California since his arrival from Toronto in 2015, although the Lakers’ decision to offer the veteran a three-year contract worth $21 million. While he could still have a role to play if he stayed in LA, there would probably be a host of teams chasing the playoffs who would be interested in having such an explosive player capable of coming off the bench and producing points. The Washington Wizards certainly fit that bill. Still being tipped by much of the NBA News to make the playoffs, the Wizards are just one of a number of teams that could make a move for the Memphis-born guard before the trade deadline.
The Lakers face an uncertain future in the 2017 draft. With their first-round pick top-three protected, and their 2019 first-round selection heading to Orlando should the Californians trade their 2017 pick to Philadelphia. Should the offer of another first-round pick be put on the table for someone like Williams, it would certainly pose an interesting question to the Lakers. It’s going to take more than one elite player to turn things around for the franchise, and another first-round pick this year could well be the difference between next season being another disappointment or a long-awaited return to the playoffs.
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