Lou Williams (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could explore sending Lou Williams to the Detroit Pistons in a three-way trade involving the Orlando Magic.
The Lakers, despite their insistence of not actively participating in trade talks before the February 23 deadline, remain a potential trade partner for several teams. Los Angeles' core of young talents would obviously be out of the market, but the team's list of veteran players could be available, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype.
"Despite head coach Luke Walton's negative comments about tanking, executives believe the Lakers will strongly consider this route. If they do, other teams will certainly be calling about L.A.'s veterans," Kennedy wrote.
One of the names that has been linked to the rumor mill is Lou Williams, who has been the Lakers' most reliable and consistent scorer.
Williams is playing one of the best season in his professional career, averaging 18.6 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field. It is unclear whether the Lakers would consider moving him, but it is a possibility of LA gets an enticing package.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report explored a three-way trade the Lakers could consider if they plan on moving Williams. In the proposed trade scenario, the Lakers send Williams to the Pistons, while getting D.J. Augustin from the Magic and a 2017 lottery-protected first-round pick via the Clippers or Raptors. Detroit would then send Darrun Hilliard and Reggie Jackson to Orlando for Mario Hezonja.
It is unclear whether the Lakers would consider such move, but with the team headed for another disappointing season, getting another pick in this year's draft could further help in LA's rebuilding efforts.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has insisted that the team has always been active when it comes to trade talks, but this year is filled with more "meaningful discussions" involving Los Angeles' talents.
"Quite frankly, compared to the last three or four years, we have a lot of talent on this roster that I think a lot of people have interest in - varying levels of interest," Kupchak told Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times. "I would think there's more meaningful discussions this year than there have been the last two or three years."
Whether it means trading Williams or not, any potential move involving any of the Lakers' would surely get them young talents or picks that would help them compete next season.
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