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Lakers: 3 Potential Landing Spots for Lou Williams

By Christian Rivas

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
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 /
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Milwaukee Bucks

Dec 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Rashad Vaughn (20) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bucks defeated the Suns 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Rashad Vaughn (20) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Bucks defeated the Suns 101-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Remember when the Lakers “missed out” on signing Greg Monroe just a few summers ago? Oh how quickly things change.

Monroe hasn’t quite worked out in Milwaukee, to put it kindly, and the Bucks are trying to get value out of him before he inevitably tests free agency at the end of the season. The Bucks have reportedly been trying to move Monroe all season, but their latest trade “sets the table” for Milwaukee to move the 26-year-old big man, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.

While Monroe’s trade value might be at an all-time low, the Bucks shouldn’t be in any hurry to ship him out for a bag of saltine crackers. Milwaukee is only two games outside of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Even with Jabari Parker sidelined, they have a real chance of making the playoffs.

Khris Middleton’s return from injury should help, as should having a 6-foot-11 Greek unicorn. If and when the Bucks trade Monroe, it’s going to be a for a player or players that are going to help them make the playoffs. This could be that move.

In this trade, the Lakers would send Lou Williams, Jose Calderon and Tarik Black for Monroe, Rashad Vaughn and a lottery-protected first round pick in the upcoming draft.

The Bucks have one of the better scoring benches in the NBA, putting up 39 points per game, but that could be changed dramatically with Parker’s injury. Players that usually come off the bench will have to play bigger roles, and there’s no guarantee any of those players are ready.

That’s a risk you can’t take if you’re competing for a playoff spot. Lou Williams and Tarik Black could help the team win games while young prospects Malcolm Brogdon and Thon Maker continue to grow into their roles with the team.

The Lakers would get Monroe’s expiring contract and a promising young shooter in Rashad Vaughn. Vaughn was taken with the No. 17 pick in the draft with the hope that he would blossom into a spot up 3-point shooter for the Bucks. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened yet.

For the second straight year, Vaughn is averaging just under 4 points per game on 35.8 percent shooting from the field. However, his potential as a three-point shooter makes him an attractive asset for the Lakers. At just 20 years old, he’ll have an opportunity to grow with the Lakers’ young core and have the chance to start alongside D’Angelo Russell.

If he doesn’t pan out, the $1.8 million he’s due over the next two seasons won’t be a tough pill to swallow. Plus, the Lakers get a first-rounder in the low twenties in this trade.

Next: 5 Lakers named in ESPN's Rising Stars rankings

But what do you guys think? Would you do any of these trades? Which trade is least likely to happen? Let us know in the comments below!

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