Remember how it sounded like the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers were close to a deal to send Lou Williams to the Eastern Conference? Based on reports, Michael Jordan was working hard to make a deal with Magic Johnson to get Charlotte a much-needed scoring punch.
However, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, another team swooped in before that deal could come to fruition: Houston. Now, Williams is reportedly heading to the Rockets in a deal that seems pretty fair for both teams.
The Lakers are finalizing a trade to send guard Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 22, 2017
The Rockets are sending Corey Brewer and a first-round pick to the Lakers for Lou Williams, league source tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 22, 2017
Williams has been instant offense off the bench for the Lakers this year, as he is averaging a career-high 18.6 points a night and is among the favorites for the 2016-17 Sixth Man of the Year Award. As Wojnarowski pointed out, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni is always going to want more scoring.
For the Rockets, Lou Williams delivers significant scoring boost to Mike D'Antoni's deep arsenal. He's under contract thru next season, too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 22, 2017
Brewer, meanwhile, has had a rough year, but has one more season on his contract. Plus the Lakers can definitely use more young talent, so a first-round pick is helpful.
This is a trade that accomplishes something for both teams – the Lakers got a pretty nice return for one of their most valuable trade chips. The Rockets, meanwhile, now boast perhaps the NBA’s premier 1-2 scoring punches off of their bench in Williams and Eric Gordon. Neither team got ripped off, and this deal helped both teams in one way or another. We may not see a more even deadline deal this season.
