NBA Trade Rumors: Lou Williams, Lakers Veterans On The Trading Block

The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to making deals before or on the NBA trade deadline. It appears that this year may be no different. The storied NBA franchise has only won nine games coming into their matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers (-15 favorites via Sportsbook.ag) on Friday night and seem to be ready to trade away some of the lucrative contracts on the books.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Lakers have put a few of their veteran players on the trading block. The NBA trade deadline (Feb. 18) is approaching with only a few more weeks left to make deals, and the following veterans on the Lakers could be sent packing:

Denver is making no secret of veteran forward JJ Hickson’s availability. Ditto for the Los Angeles Lakers and a number of veterans on their roster: Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, Nick Young and Lou Williams. We should note, however, that Hibbert possesses the only expiring contract in that quartet. Bass holds a $3.1 million player option for next season.

With the Lakers brass knowing this team will not be playoff bound come April, the front office is ready to cut their losses and trade away as many veterans as possible. Although Roy Hibbert, Nick Young, and Brandon Bass may receive some interest on the trade market, the big name on the trading block for the Lakers is reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams.

Despite playing on arguably the worst team in the Western Conference, Williams continues to put up solid numbers. Williams has been instant offense for the Lakers this season with the veteran guard averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting 33.2 percent from beyond the arc and 40.5 from the floor.

Williams will almost certainly attract teams competing for playoffs spots in both conferences. Los Angeles may be content with receiving draft picks in exchange for the 29-year-old journeyman.