NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers should get Clippers Lou Williams

The Philadelphia 76ers are reported to have interest in Los Angeles Clipper veteran Lou Williams. If NBA Rumors prove true, they should negotiate earnestly

The Philadelphia 76ers have some strengths and some weaknesses. Each NBA team does. At the NBA Trade Deadline, NBA Rumors ignite over teams attempting to fill their needs.  Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers are eyeing up some opportunities to bring in help for perimeter shooting. One such name circling among the NBA rumors is Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Lou Williams.

I believe that the Philadelphia 76ers should pursue him in earnest. At February 5, 2018, Williams is having an incredible offensive season.  Averaging 23.4 points per game, and a solid perimeter accuracy at 38.3 percent, Williams fits the bill for what these Sixers need for a playoff push.

Asking price does not always equal selling price

But the  Los Angeles Clippers have set the asking price for Williams at a first-round pick. Conversely, Bryan Colangelo is shopping for shooters but has clearly stated not at the price of a first round pick.

Stalemate. Unless something breaks the impasse. Something like a first-round pick appearance, but second round picks value?  Where did we put that example….

When is a first round pick NOT a first round pick?

So there is an impasse preventing these teams from shaking hands and signing on the dotted line. But the asking price of the Clippers could be met by the Philadelphia 76ers if they truly wanted Williams. How?  We know the Los Angeles Clipper are looking at young talent and picks for Lou Williams, courtesy of the legendary Adrian Wojnarowski

And so, players and picks are one way out of the first round pick retail tag.

UPS – your package sir

Packages of picks and young players are not a first round pick. So that suggests that the Clippers are willing to negotiate to make a deal. As a rule, the basic rule of negotiation directs everyone to enter the negotiations with your optimal outcome.  In short, the Clippers stating they want a first round pick is their way of setting the ceiling on a half-year rental of a veteran shooting guard.

The Clipper are certainly not expecting that first rounder in the first offer. Williams is a free agent at the end of this season. Despite his production and his inexpensive $7 million salary this season, he’s not going to woo the asking price up front. He has too much defensive liability to get the asking price immediately

Variations of compensation

So packages and picks is a variation of “first round pick”, and one the Philadelphia 76ers can use to their advantage. The Philadelphia 76ers have a solid likelihood of finally owning that Los Angeles Lakers pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, so that is off the table.

But the Philadelphia 76ers first round pick, currently slated at 13, could be protected to a top-18, and that could fit the bill. If that pick does not convey, the Plan B would be 2018 and 2019 second round picks. After all, that is similar to the compensation received from the Dallas Mavericks for Nerlens Noel in a similar situation. In addition, the 76ers had to absorb the costly contract of Andrew Bogut, and picked up a prospect in Justin Anderson too. So let’s just stick a pin in this deal for the moment over that protected first.

In fact, we could end the discussion right here, right now. A protected first to the Clippers for Lou Williams gives the Clippers an inroad to more 2018 NBA Draft talent. But let’s take it one step further

Packaged picks/players options

We know that the Philadelphia 76ers had soured on Nik Stauskas before shipping him off. And we know that he has soured on Jerryd Bayless now as well. Bayless is not a “prospect”. He arrived to the Philadelphia with a bill of goods of sinking perimeter shooting. That has not turned out well for the Philadelphia 76ers so far.  So much like the Dallas Mavericks example, how can the Philadelphia 76ers off-load the burdening Bayless contract and onboard the valued shooting of Lou Williams?

Add a prospect.  That prospect should be Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. I believe TLC has incredible upside, but his development is shunted by the inability of the Philadelphia 76ers to move him along at a  consistent pace. One day he is a 30 minute starter, the next day he is on the bench after seven minutes. His production has flashes of brilliance, but with his on/off load, he will not be able to sync up with his teammates in time to make a difference in the playoffs.

Balancing the trade

And with Furkan Korkmaz looking for playing time next season, the team will need to thin the herd at some point. So where does that leave us?  One player short from the Clippers. Since the Clippers want to go younger, they can dump Patrick Beverly to the 76ers to balance the salary. As such, the 76ers can pump up their package with the second round pick from the Brooklyn Nets. So where does that place this trade?

In the end, the Philadelphia 76ers get hot handed Lou Williams, and a solid point guard to bolster the team in the 2018 playoffs. the Los Angeles Clippers end up with a solid prospect in TLC (22nd pick 2016 NBA Draft) plus a 2018 first round plus a high 2018 second round pick.

Next: Sixers reportedly have interest in Dewayne Dedmon

Bryan Colangelo needs to make some moves. His free agent signings have not generated their desired results. Either they are injured, lower production, or both. It’s time to make a play for Lou Williams now.  Is it a risk? Of course it is. But the Clippers know their championship hopes are tomorrow. The Philadelphia 76ers must understand that their championship build is already underway.