The NBA trade deadline is approaching in just more than 24 hours but there is no Jim Buss, general manager Mitch Kupchak or VP of public relations John Black in the Los Angeles Lakers front office. Instead, the team has Magic Johnson taking reins in decision making. Hours later, the team officially says goodbye to its sixth man, Lou Williams.
Johnson officially became the team's president of basketball operations on Tuesday, Feb 21. This makes him the main man in charge of all the decisions about player trades and acquisition. Sources revealed that Johnson directly made the deal to trade Lou Williams.
The Los Angeles Lakers exchanged Williams with Houston Rockets swingman Corey Brewer and an unprotected first-round pick. According to ESPN, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has been wanting to bring the player to their bench. The report also revealed that the team had multiple offers for Williams including a possible deal involving the DeMarcus Cousins with Sacramento Kings and a first-round pick.
Williams is at the peak of his career with a point average of 18.6 per game and 3-point field goal percentage of .385. Another report suggests that Williams explosive scoring talent is wasted in Lakers and the trade will be beneficial to both players. Lakers will be able to use their first-round pick to acquire new players with great potentials.
Meanwhile, Brewer said he was surprised by the deal because he did not expect he would be traded. "If I was making shots, I would probably still be here, you never know," he said. "I love Houston, I don't want to leave, but I have no choice. I hope my shot starts falling with the Lakers." Asked about being Johnson's first NBA trade managing the Lakers, the Brewer said Johnson must have liked him and their good to go. Brewer's contract for next season is at about $7.6 million.
