Washington Wizards NBA Trade Deadline 2017: Four Potential Trade Scenarios
By Osman Baig
Target no. 3: Lou Williams
Lou Will is the apple of Washington Wizards Twitter’s eye.
Williams is the ideal sixth man, the epitome of instant offense that Washington has longed for off of the bench. Williams, in just 24.3 minutes per game for the Los Angeles Lakers, is averaging 18.3 points on a field goal percentage of 43.8 percent and a 3-point percentage of 37.8%.
The former Sixth Man of the Year has a career-high PER of 23.4 this season and would be the type of scorer/playmaker off the bench that this team has not had since John Wall arrived to D.C.
Williams’ ability to create for himself as well as others (averaging 3.1 assists per game) would distinguish him on this roster, which in large part has been dependent on Wall to create offense.
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He also does a great job getting to the free throw line, shooting 5.9 attempts per game in just 24 minutes of play.
His contract is also a bargain in the current NBA as he is signed through next season for $7 million.
The negative attached to Williams is that he isn’t a great defender and Washington would struggle to play him, John Wall, and Bradley Beal together without sacrificing size and defense.
Given how he can impact a game in limited minutes and his ability to lift the offense on a night where the guards may be a step slow, that shouldn’t be a worry.
2015-2016 Stats: 18.3 ppg, 3.1 apg
Contract: In the second year of a three-year/$21 million contract
Trade: Andrew Nicholson and a 2017 lottery protected 1st round pick
Target no. 4: Courtney lee
There hasn’t been any indication that Courtney Lee would be available, but if the New York Knicks do finally embrace starting anew and trade Carmelo Anthony, it’s possible they decide to move on from the newly signed 31 year old Courtney Lee as well.
Lee is in the first year of four-year, $48 million contract which will pay him approximately $11.75 million next season.
He’s has been a solid player in the NBA and currently has a field goal percentage of 45.1% and a 3-point percentage of 41.8% on 3.5 attempts per game.
In addition to his shooting, Lee has proved to be a capable, if not necessarily a high-end defender throughout his career.
What Lee wouldn’t bring to the table is a player capable of taking the game into his own hands for a stretch and creating for himself and his teammates. He’s dependent on others to create jump shots for him with the large majority of his shots coming from outside the paint.
His contract, similar to that of Wilson Chandler’s, would likely require further maneuvering over the summer to fit in Porter’s impending contract and stay below the luxury tax threshold.
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That being said, he would be a quality addition to the roster, capable of filling in for short periods if Bradley Beal were to miss some time with injuries.
2015-2016 Stats: 10.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Contract: In the first year of a four-year/$48 million contract;
Trade: Andrew Nicholson, Trey Burke, and a 2nd round pick