OKC Thunder 30 for 30, part 12 – Evaluating shooting guard Lou Williams

Contract and Trade

2018-19 – $8,000,000
2019-20 – $8,000,000
2020-21 – $8,000,000

As mentioned earlier, Lou-Will’s contract extremely team friendly and amking the numbers work isn’t a huge issue. However, its questionable whether he will ever be available or what the Clippers want in return. His $8 million dollar cap hit is relatively compared to the cap and with it set to rise over the next two seasons, his contract becomes even more palatable.’

Still, lets look at a scenario Oklahoma City could use to lure Williams away from the Clippers. Clips owner Steve Balmer and GM Jerry West are planning on making a huge splash next free agency and may be on the hunt for more cap space. The Thunder have two expiring deals and could throw in a young prospect to pry Williams away.

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This trade in a vacuum is lopsided given the talent exchange. Williams is far better than Alex Abrines and Kyle Singler but the Clippers could be enticed by Terrance Ferguson who was a first round pick in 2017.

Its unlikely the Clips go for something like this but it does free-up more salary cap for next season while essentially getting a first-round pick in the process.

Final Thoughts

The upside on a Williams acquisition is tremendous and would all but vanquish the Thunder’s offensive struggles with the second unit. What he brings is well documented and Oklahoma City’s odds of a title run increase exponentially.

If OKC could acquire Lou-Will in a trade, Thunder fans should run to the ticket booth. Williams is an underpaid, all-world offensive talent and I would move heavens to get him.