Report: Clippers and Lou Williams having serious discussions of a contract extension
In surprising twist, the Los Angeles Clippers have begun negotiations on a contract extensions with guard Lou Williams.
Lou Williams name has been on the trade market in recent weeks, with reports of the Clippers seeking a first-round pick for the guard who’s averaging a career-high 23.3 points per game. Several teams have been linked to him in rumors, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves and more.
But a surprising report came out last night in regards to Williams, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Story with @WindhorstESPN filed to ESPN: Extension discussions between guard Lou Williams and the Clippers have gathered significant momentum and a new contract is within reach before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2018
Bobby Marks of ESPN added on to the report later with details of the extension that Williams could sign with the Clippers if they agree to terms.
Lou Williams and the Clippers can negotiate an extension of up to four-years with a total amount of $42M. The extension would reflect 120% of the average player salary and is comparable to Josh Richardson and Norman Powell. Williams benefits from the... https://t.co/Llsi9xCJiL
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 7, 2018
If Williams signs on those terms it will be a steal for a player of his scoring prowess. He’d be making less money than the likes of Evan Fournier, Evan Turner, and Allen Crabbe. All are players who are averaging less points than him this season.
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Reports of the contract extension discussions have apparently cooled interest from teams who were pursuing a trade for him. However, the this could also be a ploy by the Clippers to encourage teams to up their offers if they really want Williams and see that Los Angeles may be serious about keeping him around.
Williams was traded at last seasons deadline, from the Lakers to the Rockets. Williams was traded again this summer in the Chris Paul blockbuster and went from the Rockets to the Clippers. That was the third time in his career he had been traded and the contract extension makes it seem as though the guard would love to tie himself down long term with one team, which is very different from his approach to dating.