Lakers Rumors: Former Lakers that should rejoin the team this season
By Jason Reed
Lou Williams
We actually alluded to the Lakers trading for Lou Williams in a three-team deal with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers. Now, the fantasy scenario is a bit different, but the Lakers return on their trade is still the same. Williams was arguably the best Laker before being dealt last season and would come back to the Lakers to be the best sixth man in the league.
More from Lakers Rumors
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- Lakers Rumors: Jason Kidd no longer being considered for Pelicans job
- Lakers Rumors: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo expected to opt out
- Lakers Rumors: Golden State Warriors interested in Dwight Howard
Williams played for Los Angeles for one and a half seasons before being dealt to the Houston Rockets last year. This was an all-in move by the Lakers to tank as they wanted to secure their top three pick. Now, with Ball in the picture as the second overall pick, the Lakers should be interested in bringing Williams back into the fold with the right trade.
The Los Angeles Clippers are in a weird position right now. Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets in a sign and trade deal that brought Williams to LA; Blake Griffin resigned though, to the surprise of many. Now, with just DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin as their stars, the Clippers are in a weird state of NBA purgatory.
If things fail to pan out, the Clippers may look to get what they can out of one more remaining season from Jordan. Jordan is signed to the end of the 2018-2019 season with a player option this offseason.
If the Lakers can get a guarantee that Jordan will stick around, they could send Brook Lopez, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle to the Clippers for Jordan, Williams and Wesley Johnson. This frees up cap space in Clarkson while giving the Lakers an established star to lure free agents in with.
Next: Five superstars the Lakers brought in past their prime
While this move may seem unlikely, if the Clippers cannot find success this year it may be their only route. In turn, the Lakers would be reacquiring their best player from last season in Lou Williams.