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NBA Rumors: Charlotte Hornets pursuing Lakers guard Lou Williams

By Marquis Munson

Feb 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) moves to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) moves to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Magic Johnson is now in charge of the Lakers’ basketball operations and his first line of duty is to trade the team’s leading scorer Lou Williams.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Charlotte Hornets are aggressively pursuing 30-year-old guard Lou Williams. ESPN’s Zach Lowe and Ian Begley also reported the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz are in the hunt for the former Sixth Man of the Year as well.

“Some teams who have talked to the Lakers  about Williams believe Los Angeles is seeking a first-round pick in any Williams swap,” sources told Begley.

Williams is a 12-year veteran and is having one of his best seasons with career-highs in points with 18.6 per game and shooting .385 from three-point range. He also leads the team in usage percentage (30.6) and true shooting percentage (60.9).

The Hornets are looking to add more depth coming off the bench. Nicolas Batum is starting at shooting guard and Marco Belinelli playing well off the bench, averaging 10.8 points this season. If the Hornets acquire Williams, he could be playing off the bench at point guard for Kemba Walker moving Ramon Sessions down in the rotation.

Before Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak was relived of his duties, he told the Los Angeles Times that he believes the team will make a deal before the Thursday deadline.

Williams is heading into the final season of his contract and will earn $7 million next season. Not only can the Lakers dump his cap space, they could get another pick in the upcoming draft out of it.

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Williams has been the only bright spot of the Lakers season. But at 30-years-old and one-year left in his contract, there is no need to keep him, especially when tanking is the option at this point.

The Hornets (24-32) are currently on the outside looking into the Eastern Conference and are looking for a strong push towards the bottom seeds in the second half of the season.

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