NBA Trade Rumors: LA Clippers’ Potential Trade Options for Lou Williams

Lou Williams’ journey with the LA Clippers is coming to an end. The front office is tearing down their old guard. After they let his mate Montrezl Harrell walk away to their cross-town rivals, it’s his turn to get the chop.

The 3-time winner of the NBA ‘Sixth Man of the Year’ award is still a very useful asset. Not only is he one of the best bench players in the league, but he is also an excellent 3-point shooter. The Clippers will demand a player of at least his caliber in the trade. They are looking for a ‘floor general’ who will run their plays.

Players the LA Clippers should target

1. Ricky Rubio

The Spaniard will fit the bill perfectly. He was averaging 8.9 Assists per game (4th highest in the league) for the Phoenix Suns last season. On top of that, he will bring leadership qualities with him, something that the Kawhi Leonard-led team needs.

However, pricing Rubio away won’t be easy. He has just got traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Furthermore, he is much younger than Williams. Considering that the Timberwolves begin the season with Anthony Edwards and DeAngelo Russell as starting guards, they are lacking in the frontcourt. Maybe the Clippers can offer forward JaMychal Green along with Williams to sweeten the deal.

2. Derrick Rose

Rose is very much a like-for-like replacement for Williams, in terms of their stats. However, the key difference is in their scoring preference. While Williams excels as a shooter outside the 3-point line, Rose gets most of his buckets inside the paint. He has become an important member of the Detroit Pistons, and they may not want to part with him. But the absurd number of centers they have signed in this free agency means they need some shooting, and this could be a win-win situation for both parties.

3. Terry Rozier

Rozier is a player that is probably on another level when compared to Williams. Then why will this trade work? The answer is simple. The Charlotte Hornets are investing in Devonte’ Graham and LaMelo Ball as their starting guards, and Terry Rozier is too good for the bench. Along with an excellent backup in Williams, the Hornets can strengthen their frontcourt with JaMychal Green.

The ball is in the Clippers’ court. Though the team will lose a veteran, they can emerge as a better team with any of the above players. And they need to if they wish to take the Larry O’Brien trophy from the Lakers.