Los Angeles Lakers: Free agents to target from final 4 playoff teams

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets attempts a shot against P.J. Tucker #17 of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets attempts a shot against P.J. Tucker #17 of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 15, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
4 of 5
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Lou Williams, Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks double-dip here as there are two guards that the Los Angeles Lakers would benefit from adding. Someone who would play a bigger role on the Lakers if he were to be signed, and brought back to the Lakers nonetheless, is Lemon Pepper Lou Williams.

Williams was traded to the Hawks from the Clippers this season and he has had some moments for the Hawks during their run. Typically, a player of Williams’ skillset is not great for a playoff team as one-way players can be exposed when the game slows down in the playoffs.

There have been moments where that has been the case for Williams but overall, Atlanta has managed him well and made him a positive asset for this rotation. He is playing just 12 minutes per game but has been effective.

That would be similar on the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would play around 12-15 minutes per game in the playoffs. His true value lies as a regular-season depth piece that can help take some of the scoring pressure off of the stars and keep guys fresh.

Is he the same player he was even two years ago? No. But for the price point that he is going to be signed at this offseason, it would not be a bad thing for the Lakers to take a flier and at least get the solid regular-season production out of Williams.