ESPN’s Ian Begley reported Monday that the Utah Jazz have expressed interest in acquiring Lou Williams before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
Are you tired of trade rumors yet? If the answer to that question is no, you’re in the majority, especially if you’re a Lakers fan. The Lakers have not made a trade since 2014 when the team traded Steve Blake for Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks. In case you haven’t been following, neither of those players are still with the Purple and Gold. Fans are itching for a trade and it’s looking more and more like they’ll get their wish, as former Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams, is getting plenty of attention from teams looking for a spark plug off the bench.
The Washington Wizards were the first team to express interest in the sweet-shooting guard out of South Gwinnett High School, but now the Utah Jazz are interested too, according to ESPN staff writer Ian Begley.
"Some members of the Utah Jazz front office have expressed interest recently in Lakers guard Lou Williams, ESPN sources say. Many around the league believe Williams is likely to be dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline. Some teams who have talked to the Lakers about Williams believe Los Angeles is seeking a first-round pick in any Williams swap.Ian Begley, ESPN Staff Writer"
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The Jazz are in the bottom half of the NBA in bench scoring (No. 21) and they have their backup guards to thank for that. Shelvin Mack, Alec Burks and Dante Exum combine for a total 20.5 points per game off the bench. Williams leads the league in bench scoring with his 18.6 points per game. The attraction is evident.
As Begley mentions, the Jazz and other teams would be willing to give up a first-rounder for Lou’s bench scoring. However, the best case scenario would be a trade involving the No. 5 pick in the 2014 draft, Dante Exum. Exum hasn’t exactly lived up to his draft hype just yet, but a change of scenery could help him reach his ceiling. The Lakers could use an explosive guard to pair with D’Angelo Russell.
But if the Jazz do off the Lakers a pick, it would hopefully the lowest of their two first-rounders or both of their first round picks. Whatever the case may be, it would be genuinely surprising to see Williams on the roster past the trade deadline with the amount of interest teams have in him.
Next: Is Jimmy Butler headed to Los Angeles?
But what do you guys think? Is Utah the destination for Sweet Lou? Can the Lakers get more out of Washington? Let us know in the comments below!