Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned the Washington Wizards have expressed interest in Los Angeles Lakers Lou Williams in The Vertical’s NBA trade deadline preview.
There’s a real possibility Lou Williams will no longer be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers when the team returns from the All-Star Break. Hoops Hype’s Alex Kennedy reported earlier this week that the Lakers were making Williams available, saying “a general manager confirmed that the Lakers have, in fact, shopped Williams and seem likely to move him prior to the deadline.”
It makes sense for the Lakers to move the former Sixth Man of the Year. While he has been arguably the most consistent player on the roster this season, Williams likely doesn’t with the team’s long-term plans. He would be better off helping a legitimate title contender with a lackluster bench.
Three of the five teams with the lowest scoring benches in the NBA are in the conversation for Finals appearances; the Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards. However, only one of those teams have the assets to pull off a trade that would push the needle and that’s the Wizards.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical, Washington is looking at Lou Williams as a solution to their bench woes.
Wojnarowski said “The Wizards feel like they’re a top heavy team … they’ve got to improve their bench. They feel like if there’s a wing player that they can get out in the trade market–Lou Williams with the Lakers, they have interest in, Bojan Bogdanovic with the Nets. Washington has shown an inclination to give up a future draft pick, a first round pick, potentially even in this draft, to get at a veteran who may even turn out to be a rental for them.”
“Washington has shown an inclination to give up a future draft pick, a first round pick, potentially even in this draft, to get at a veteran who may even turn out to be a rental for them.”
The Wizards would be a perfect fit for Sweet Lou, and luckily for them, Williams would be more than just a rental for them. The $7 million Williams is due next season isn’t a tough contract to swallow, making him an even more attractive asset to contenders like the Wizards.
However, it is because of his low-cost production that the Wizards would have to put together quite the package to acquire Williams in a trade. Earlier this week, we proposed a trade sending Williams to Washington that you see here.
Lou Williams leads the NBA in points off the bench with 18.6 points per game. He also leads the Lakers in scoring with his 18.6 points.
Next: 5 Possible Destinations for Lou Williams
But what do you guys think? Would Lou Williams be a good fit with the Wizards? Does another team have assets to offer the Lakers a better package? Let us know in the comments below!