Clippers nearing contract extension of Lou Williams

What's the story?

Lou Williams has been in discussion with the Los Angeles Clippers and it seems like a contract extension might be on the cards before Thursday afternoon’s NBA Trade Deadline.

In case you didn't know...

The Clippers traded All-Star Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons and acquired Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley in the trade.

The heart of the matter...

It looks like Lou Williams might be staying with the Los Angeles Clippers and a new contract is within reach, according to league sources. Rival teams were increasingly resigned late Tuesday night that Williams, 31, was exiting the trade market and returning to the Clippers on a multiyear contract.

The market will likely intensify for the Memphis Grizzlies’ Tyreke Evans with Lou Williams off the market. Several teams have been pursuing the Grizzlies’ guard with Boston, Denver and Philadelphia the front-runners amongst a group of teams. The Memphis are looking to extract a first-round pick for Evans.

The Clippers continue to discuss trade options for DeAndre Jordan, but according to league sources, the discussion has received no traction. There is a large possibility that the big man will be ending the season as a Clipper.

Currently, Williams is earning $7 million in the final year of his contract. He has the option to opt out of his contract this summer and become an unrestricted free agent. He is averaging 23.3 points and 5.3 assists with the Clippers. Across 12 years with Philadelphia, Atlanta, Toronto, the Lakers and Houston, Williams averaged 13.5 points.

What's next?

The Clippers are 27-25 and a half-game out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Clippers have won 2 of their last 3 games and are off to a good start since the Griffin trade. We could be in for an interesting encounter as the Clippers play the Pistons in Detroit on Friday.

Author's take

Lou Williams could be an integral part of a championship contention team. Being 31 and not getting any younger, Williams should try out his trade options with so much demand for him in the trade market and give himself a shot at the silverware in the final stages of his career.