The Lou Williams Trade Rumors are Heating Up

The Los Angeles Clippers have been busy trying to re-tool their team for next season. Out is sixth man of the year, Montrezl Harrell, who jumped ship to the champion Lakers and the Clippers replaced his minutes with ex-Toronto Raptor, Serge Ibaka. 

Sounds like the team isn't done making moves and if you ask executives around the league, Lou Williams will be shipped out next.

Teams around the league expect the Clippers to trade Lou Williams, per Marc Stein

(h/t @RealGM ) pic.twitter.com/XfHfeTdl8v

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) November 25, 2020

Stein, who is as in-tune with the NBA insider information as anyone, had this to say in the New York Times: 

The additions of Ibaka and Luke Kennard (via trade with Detroit) are just the beginning; many rival teams also expect the Clippers to trade Lou Williams in their quest to create a fresh-start environment after they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Nuggets.

Williams' defense may be his biggest fault and considering the Clippers have a couple superstars who can fill up the score sheet, finding another lock-down defender may be top of mind for the team.

With 'Lemon Pepper' Lou being in the final year of his contract which pays him $8 million, and his scoring abilities (averaged 18.1 points in 2019-20) Williams certainly has trade value on the market.

The Clippers know next season is an all-in year for them and everything hangs in the balance. If they win, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard may stick around. If they lose and suffer another year full of disappointment, anything is possible. 

Photo credit:  Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire