It’s no secret the Lakers have been active in the trade market this season. They were apparently interested in DeMarcus Cousins before he was dealt to the Pelicans and have also been mentioned as a team who is willing to trade off one or more of their veteran players for an asset which has more long term appeal.
The player whose name is most often mentioned as “on the block” is Lou Williams, a key performer for the Lakers all year who is under contract through next season at a very reasonable price tag. Williams is having his best season as a pro and the Lakers are seemingly ready to cash in on that value when it’s at its peak. As Pete and I discussed on the most recent Laker Film Room Podcast, one team which has been linked to Williams is the Washington Wizards.
Rather than take it from me and Pete, though, here’s Zach Lowe on Washington’s interest and whether Lou would actually be a good fit in the nation’s capital:
Several reports have linked the Wiz to Lou Williams, and Washington has indeed explored trading a protected first-round pick for the king of the 2-for-1. That makes me a little queasy, despite Williams’ monster season and an affordable $7 million contract that runs through 2017-18 — big for a capped-out team with limited means to boost the roster in free agency.
Williams’ game doesn’t hold up as well in the playoffs, when referees don’t buy his flailing and opponents pick at his defense over and over. He doesn’t move the needle enough toward Cleveland territory to justify sending out a precious chance at nabbing a cheap young player. Washington could also use the midlevel exception — a real tool again! — to land a decent backup this summer, though that might rocket them into the luxury tax once they re-sign Porter.
Wait out the Lakers, and Washington might be able to get Williams for a couple of second-rounders.
There’s two key parts to Lowe’s reporting here: First is that the Wiz apparently have had discussions about trading a 1st round pick for Williams (or a player of his ilk) and, second Lowe seems to think the market for Williams may just be shallow enough that if the Wizards wait out the Lakers in negotiations, two 2nd rounders may be enough to get a deal done.
That second point is one that might make fans a bit queazy. Considering the Lakers are not guaranteed of keeping their own pick this summer, snagging a 1st rounder from another team in a trade should be one of key goals this trade season. Sure, if the Lakers could get a young player on a rookie deal or a better fitting veteran who would be more than a rental that too would be a reasonable trade-off for Lou. But, I’d imagine, the Lakers’ success at drafting quality players in the late 1st/early 2nd rounds over the last three seasons only bolsters their confidence that even without their own pick they could draft a quality player should they have any pick at all.
Which brings us back to the issue at hand. If Washington plays hard ball, will the Lakers be out of luck? Maybe not. In the same Lowe column, Zach mentions a couple of other teams who could be buyers at the deadline and, like the Wizards, they may be willing to trade a 1st rounder:
Our Chris Haynes reported the Pacers have floated their first-round pick in search of a veteran, which fits the general notion that a 29-28 mediocrity needs more to sway George. The roster is overloaded with bricky dribblers and plodding bigs; the Pacers need someone who can shoot, and play either on the wing or at power forward. They probably won’t find a great fit.
And then there’s this:
Houston is chasing a win-now move, sources say, and may send out K.J. McDaniels as the sweetener. McDaniels doesn’t play, mostly because of a busted jumper. Some team should take a shot on him at the right price.
Now, neither Indy nor the Rockets were explicitly linked to the Lakers in any way. However, their needs align (at least somewhat) with what the Lakers have to offer.
Indy may already have Monta Ellis, Jeff Teague, and Rodney Stuckey as smallish guards who like to have the ball in their hands. But none offer the outside shooting or scoring efficiency Lou does. If Bird is willing to surrender a 1st round pick, even if lottery protected, a swap of Stuckey and Lou works financially as both players make the same money and are signed through the same season.
As for the Rockets, nowhere is it mentioned they’d be willing to give up a pick and Morey is a guy who typically loves to extract value with by making his own draft picks. That said, they currently have the league’s 4th best record and might be willing to surrender a 1st rounder considering they have two 2nd round picks (Blazers and Nuggets) in this upcoming draft. Also, McDaniels is an interesting talent who fits a certain profile I think the Lakers should at least be kicking the tires on.
None of this is to say a deal is in the works with any of the above teams. But, I bring them up to note that there are other potential partners out there and I’d imagine the front office is doing their due diligence with them and others (like Charlotte and OKC) to try to find a partner who can offer what they want. As the old saying goes, it only takes one team to say yes to your demands and suddenly you have a deal. We’ll see if that happens before this Thursday’s deadline.
UPDATE: Add the Jazz to the list of teams who might be interested in Williams. From Ian Begley of ESPN:
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.
Again, this isn’t to say a deal with the Jazz is likely. But I do think this just reconfirms there is some interest around the league and the Lakers would be wise to try and leverage that.
tonyr248 says
The wizards, jazz, thunder, and cavs have shown interest in lou. He’s extremely affordable (7m), not a rental, and can single handedly carry a bench. I struggle to believe any team believes they can get him for 2 2nd rounders. Kelly oubre and a 1st rounder for lou and a 2nd rounder would be dream scenario but I don’t know how realistic it is. Thoughts?
Still R says
Comfortable as the Lakers seem to be with doing lousy deals, I hope they don’t give up Williams for less than a mid first rounder or a lesser first and a second.
Otherwise, what would be the point? He’s effective and cheap, as reiterated here and elsewhere.
BigCitySid10552 says
Bottom line: Lou can make a real difference on a contending team. That alone means a late 1st round draft pick in return at minimum. I think the Cavs will make the offer.
John Citizen says
If i am Mitch, i would focus on the Jazz and Exum. This is not because i am Australian, but I really think Exum is horribly managed with the Jazz and they dont value him as much.
Lou and Clarkson for Exum and first.
new rr says
Still R
The points would be to get more reps and possessions for Russell and Clarkson, and to focus on improving/developing the team D.
Mid Wilshire says
John Citizen The Lakers might consider sending Lou to Utah for Exum and a first. But there would be no reason to throw Clarkson (or anyone else) into that deal. That would verge on giving away the store unnecessarily.
Also, the Lakers are short on guards in their rotation. They would not trade 2 guards for one.
I think the Lakers might have their eye on getting more minutes for Russell and Clarkson together as a tandem. That combination has not been fully vetted. The Lakers have got to find out if they can play together or not. They’ve been wondering about that for a while. Neither one’s a rookie any longer. It’s time to find out.
Clay Bertrand says
BigCitySid10552
I don’t think the Cavs have many assets left to trade except Shumpert. They’ve traded away their 1st rounder this year and in 2019 meaning 2018 can’t be moved.
They’ve traded away ALL their 2nd round picks from this year through 2020 as well although they DO have 2nd rounders coming to them this year, 2019 and 2020.
As well, Cleveland is HARD CAPPED and would HAVE to send back salary because I don’t believe Lou would fit into any Trade Exceptions they’ve got. I don’t even know if HARD CAPPED teams can use the trade exemptions.
Either way, Cleveland is too tapped out IMO to make a run at Lou and give us any reasonable return.
drrayeye says
Lou really meets an immediate need for the Wizards–in an Eastern Conference that he understands. The Wizards need to make a trade interesting to the Lakers . . . .
The problem is balancing salaries. I think that the Lakers would accept Kelly Oubre, Trey Burk, and a first, but not Andrew Nicholson and a first.
Ray
titan712 says
Mid Wilshire John Citizen I think Exum would be a nice pickup but I’d worry that we would have too many younger guys coming up for extensions (Randle and Exum, Russell and Nance) around the same time and we would have to make decisions on them. I wouldn’t mind taking Utah’s 2 picks (theirs and Golden State) for Lou even if we have to throw in a second rounder. Then we could flip those picks to dump Deng and/or Moz (Brooklyn)?
Mid Wilshire says
drrayeye Yes. This could be a possibility (trading Lou to Washington for Oubre, Burk, and a first to make the salaries work). But first, they’d have to cut someone from their roster because they already have a full house. (Huertas would probably be the one to be cut loose.)
Clay Bertrand says
drrayeye
Nicholson is useless IMO. Oubre is somewhat intriguing but I’d like to see what kind of pick we can land.
Washington is A LITTLE gun shy about just trading 1st Rounders WILLY-NILLY. After all, they gambled a year ago at this time and traded a 1st Rounder for Markieff Morris. THEN they promptly went into the toilet and missed the playoffs giving the Suns A LOTTERY PICK (top 9 protected) that ended up being the 13th pick in the draft.
Clay Bertrand says
Mitch is the scapegoat. Jim survives???
fern16 says
Holy crap, Mitch is fired. And Magic is the new GM. I don’t know still missing something…
Clay Bertrand says
fern16
Wait on it. Darius will post something SOON
new rr says
fern16
Magic is President of Basketball Ops. He will be hiring the GM.
Alexander_ says
new rr Still R True, but the coach can manage this through minutes allocation as well. I am not a fan of trading LWill for a bag of chips as punishment for showing the most improvement this season.
LT Mitchell says
Per NBA.com:
“LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss announced today that the team has named Earvin “Magic” Johnson as President of Basketball Operations. In addition, General Manager Mitch Kupchak has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately. Furthermore, Jim Buss will no longer hold his role as Lakers Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.
“Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” Jeanie Buss said. “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. Our search for a new General Manager to work with Earvin and Coach Luke Walton is well underway and we hope to announce a new General Manager in short order. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new General Manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.”
fern16 says
So it was a double whammy, Jimbo is gone too.
LT Mitchell says
With no GM and the trade deadline in 2 days, who is going to handle the Lou Williams trade????
Vasheed says
LT Mitchell
My thoughts exactly. I guess Magic Johnson?
fern16 says
Im not comfortable with Magic having all that power by himself. He needs to get a gm and let him work.
mattal says
ESPN quotes a press release from Jeanie:
“Today I took a series of actions I believe will return the Lakers to the heights Dr. Jerry Buss demanded and our fans rightly expect,” team governor Jeanie Buss said in a statement. “Effective immediately, Earvin Johnson will be in charge of all basketball operations and will report directly to me. Our search for a new General Manager to work with Earvin and Coach Luke Walton is well underway and we hope to announce a new General Manager in short order. Together, Earvin, Luke and our new General Manager will establish the foundation for the next generation of Los Angeles Lakers greatness.”
Clay Bertrand says
The NBA is ALL OVER the Lakers for the timing of this. BUT under the circumstances, its better to do it NOW than to allow the perhaps contrary agenda of the outgoing management to shape the moves at the trade deadline.
Jim and Mitch were liable to do something STUPID. Their track record and possible desperation could NOT have been positives going into the deadline.
Still, the move leaves the Laker Ship without a captain to navigate what SHOULD be a time to make some moves.
Vasheed says
fern16
Not exactly a lot of time to do interviews before the trade deadline. I suspect Magic is on his own for the next 2 days.
fern16 says
My hope is a three headed decision making process, Magic,Luke and the next GM. I hope they are as bold an decisive in that selection…
Clay Bertrand says
OFF but SORTA ON Topic:
My buddy just texted me that Magic and Jim FREDO Buss are out on a boat fishing Lake Tahoe……….lol
Vasheed says
Clay Bertrand
In fairness they did say no to trading Ingram plus package for Cousins. At the moment I think it comes down to Lou for 1st pick or Randle, Clarkson, and Lou for star.
A Horse With No Name says
Jim and Mitch, right now? On the eve of the trade deadline? Good lord. If you thought Jim and Mitch had issues, welcome to the Jeanie and Magic show. And why was loyal John Black axed too? A quick solid GM hire could turn the train wreck optics around. Hope for the best.
MT87 says
I am so very not excited about Magic. I’m very concerned that this is going to be a situation where the cure is worse than the disease.
david__h says
darius: before you even start; let me just say this: let’s make the lakers great again. didn’t we just hear that from someone running for president of the united states just a few months ago?
it’s way, way, way to early but I could see magic and his new company positioning for one, lonzo ball. and, wasn’t this what it was all about to begin with? lol.
more to come later..
Go lakers
Sam S. says
Out of the frying pan into the fire. Unless we get a Dodgers-style shrewd young numbers guy in PRONTO and Magic (fat chance) gets out of the way.
Is Ryan West all that? Odds of it happening?
MT87 says
david__h Are you saying that you believe that Magic is the person to make the Lakers a champion again? Because I really don’t see any reason to believe he is the person to do this job. It is one thing to think that the FO needs a change, it is quite another to say that this is the right one.
Vasheed says
One Buss gone, one to go? One of the things that made me more hesitant to jump on the get rid of Jimmy band wagon is that Jeanie concerns me even more. Well, now it has come to pass and I just hope it works out.
david__h says
MT87 :
not magic by himself. let’s see what his next moves are before we can begin to consider a championship.
BuckFoston says
Hopefully Magic didn’t fire Jim & Mitch because they refused to include B.Ingram in a Cousins trade.
Re: Lou Williams: If it’s going to be a deal with the Wizzards…The Wiz have zero bench production, and could use a general over-hall going for the rest of the season and the play-offs.
The Lakers should send them Sweet Lou & Swaggy P to shore up that bench, for Oubre, Burke, Satoransky, & their 2017 first round pick: http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hlte59o
MT87 says
Here is my question for those that are excited about this move: what is your barometer for success now that Magic is in charge? Do you expect to be a contender in three years? Are you going to call for his ouster when he starts making dumb signings? What does success actually look like here?
bluehill says
Well, I was wrong about Mitch’s and Magic’s relationship. Ding’s article was pretty timely. Wonder who leaked those comments about Mitch???
President of BB operations?!?! Magic is showing he can navigate the corporate world pretty effectively and somewhat ruthlessly. I think it’s a good thing if he brings in some smart people to navigate the CBA, trades, scouting etc. Maybe he thinks he has those people already. We’ll see. This boring season has gotten a lot more interesting!
MT87 says
david__h MT87 What I’m asking is do you think Magic was the right hire? I’m having trouble figuring out who is just happy to have the old regime gone and who actually thinks this is a good idea.
bluehill says
MT87 I’m not excited, but am hopeful. Getting rid of Jim and Mitch seems to resolve the power struggle between Jim and Jeanie. It’s a positive because there will be less confusion at the top. Magic is setting the direction and Jeanie is unlikely to undermine him in public the way she did with Jim. That’s a huge positive in my mind because before the discord between Jim and Jeanie was obvious and that reflected badly on the organization as a whole.
Of course, it’s a double-edged sword because Magic could do some dumb things, but I’m assuming that, because of his business success, tutelage under Dr. Buss and his time with the Dodgers where the day-to-day of player acquisition is run by experienced hands, he will leave those functions to others and focus more on setting the overall plan for the rebuild and stepping in to close deals.
All that said, who knows. This season was going nowhere and this makes things interesting. Of course, if he trades BI for Melo, it will be interesting in the worst way, but I don’t think (hope) that will happen.
david__h says
MT87:
I too was hoping magic would stay out of the self hire because to me he’s too much of a bulldozer personality guy. I was hoping he had Jerry West in place as a consultant before moving forward with his “advisement” to Jeanie Buss moves. I like Magic as an advisor, only.
To me, he’ll need to prove himself before I consider him anything other than that.
drrayeye says
Mid Wilshire drrayeye I think the one to be released would be Metta.
Still R says
Alexander_ new rr Still R Alexander, my thought exactly; Russell and Clarkson can get more minutes by being played more minutes – that seems pretty straightforward. No need to jettison an effective and cost effective player to accomplish that. As far as improving/developing team D, well good luck accomplishing that with Russell/Clarkson. Again, though, Luke can feel free to try by playing them more.
Last I heard, its still necessary to play five people at a time, and Williams will come in handy in the event of injury to Russell/Clarkson. Especially if the teams starts playing the kids 48 minutes a game to improve their defensive prowess.
LT Mitchell says
Clay Bertrand
Magic: Who was responsible for the Mosgov/Deng contracts?
Jimbo: Umm…It wasn’t me.
Magic: I know it was you Jimbo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!
Clay Bertrand says
LT Mitchell Clay Bertrand
Jimbo: “I can handle things. I’m SMAAAAAAAAAHHHHT!!!!! Not like everybody says….that I’m dumb…Im SMAAHHHT!!! An’ I want RESPECT!!!!!!!”
Magic to Jeanine: “Leave the gun. Take the cannolis.”
athlete23 says
It’s about time that they are changes happening with in the Lakers organization. Now there needs to be changes with in the training staff. How is it possible that they higher this PT Jenifer Swanson with all the issues she had in Chicago backstabbing and causing turmoil with in everybody and lying to the coaches of team USA. That was another bad bad move by Lakers. The whole Lakers training staff has done a poor job this year with the health of the players.