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Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lou Williams Explains Why Lakers Won’t Tank
Lakers News

Lou Williams Explains Why Lakers Won’t Tank

Trevor Lane
Published: 02/12/2017
3 Min Read
Lakers Nation Roundtable: What Worries You Most About Team?
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a bit of a quandary, with a team full of players who are striving to win while there is serious incentive to lose. Thanks to the infamous Steve Nash trade, the Lakers will have to send their 2017 first-round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers if it lands outside the top three selections. In a draft bursting with tantalizing players, the Lakers would clearly love to add another talented young piece to their core.

Furthermore, if the Lakers can retain their pick this summer, they also get their 2019 pick back from the Orlando Magic, sending a pair of second round selections instead. With draft lottery odds tied directly to where the Lakers finish in the standings, it makes a whole lot of sense to lose games at this juncture. The Lakers players, however, are not on board with this way of thinking. Leading scorer Lou Williams took to Twitter to explain his thoughts on the subject:

The thing about draft picks fans forget. That's somebody's job he'll take. Ain't nobody playing for a pick lol. Trying get W's https://t.co/Qun6TQ8uB7

— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) February 11, 2017

Williams’ stance isn’t a surprise, as tanking games really doesn’t help players at all. Each one is trying to earn as much money as they can and provide the best situation for their families, just as everyday Joe’s do. Unfortunately, this often puts them at odds with fans, who are hoping that the franchise will improve long-term by landing a superstar in the draft.

Some have even suggested that Williams is hindering the development of the Lakers’ young players by dominating the ball and taking too many shots, but again he disputes that notion:

Last to come in the game off the bench. And 4th in attempts on team. Y'all gotta start watching lol https://t.co/GtYlqyXk7i

— Lou Williams (@TeamLou23) February 11, 2017

Williams makes some good points, but it doesn’t change the fact that the majority of fans want to see the Lakers succeed rather than an individual player pick up a few wins at the expense of an extremely valuable draft pick. This, along with Williams’ prime not matching up with that of Los Angeles’ young core, is part of why he pops up in trade rumors so often. In theory, if the Lakers could part with veterans in exchange for future assets, they could give themselves a brighter tomorrow in addition to a greater chance of keeping their 2017 and 2019 first round picks.

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TAGGED:Los Angeles LakersLou Williams
ByTrevor Lane
Trevor Lane is a longtime NBA and Los Angeles Lakers fan who had the good fortune to grow up during the glory days of the Showtime Lakers, when Magic Johnson, Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and the rest ruled the Great Western Forum. He has written about basketball, soccer, fantasy sports, MMA, and even pro wrestling over the course of his career, but the spectacle that is the Lakers is his true passion. He made the leap into podcasting for Lakers Nation and provides voice-over analysis for our YouTube channel. With a who's who of stars gracing the Lakers lineup over the years, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, and many others, the Lakers always provide plenty to talk about. When he isn't writing or recording, Trevor can be found spending time with his wife and daughter or on the sidelines for one of the youth teams he coaches. Outside of the Lakers, Trevor is a supporter of the LA Galaxy, US Soccer, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Contact: trevor@mediumlargela.com
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