Lou Williams (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors are now gaining clarity as teams are now divided between buyers and sellers, but some teams have crossed over.
The Washington Wizards is one team that was once suggested to tank because of their disappointing start. Lately, they have been on a tear and within reach of the top three Eastern teams.
According to the Chris Almeida of The Ringer, the Wizards are no longer prioritizing a long-term plan (aka tanking) and is now committed to getting as deep into the playoffs as they can this season.
John Wall claims that the team has "figured it out" and that the "miraculous season" has given GM Ernie Grunfeld a new lease on his GM life. One of the biggest factors is Scott Brooks, their new head coach who has proven that he has more to offer then a Kevin Durant connection.
Brooks showed that he is a wizard himself with regards to player development, specifically on the small forward position. If you can't get your Durant, make your own. "Brooks's presence has done wonders for Porter and Oubre," wrote Almeida.
"The projections for the future have now turned positive for the Wiz: I see an electric point guard having the season of his life and making bold declarations about the future. I see Porter turning into one of the best shooters in the league. (OK, there are some stats for that one.) I see a new Big Three forming," Almeida said.
Because of this huge step, Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report predicted a buyer's trade from the Wizards for one of the best bench players in the league right now: Lou Williams of the LA Lakers.
"So with Washington having found a rhythm under new head coach Scott Brooks, Grunfeld is looking for a guard just like Lou Williams, who can create his own shots and get to the foul line in slugfest playoff games-and has the nerve to want the ball in those moments. Williams (18.3 points per game) is also a good shooter who can spot up when defenders are smothering John Wall," Ding said.
The trade has Williams and point guard Marcelo Huertas sent to the Wizards for Trey Burke, Jason Smith and more importantly, the Wizards 2017 first round pick.
The Lakers have been adept at picking late in the first round (Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance, Jr) and the Wizards may be in the late teens or early 20s at this point.
The Wizards are letting go of non-contributing players for a very useful Williams who can take pressure off their backcourt duo. He has been the Lakers leading scorer this season, specifically for the purpose of making him worth a first round pick.
