NBA Trade Rumors: Charlotte Hornets Pushing Hard For Lou Williams

Feb 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) moves to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) moves to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward Anthony Tolliver (43) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Trade Rumors: The Charlotte Hornets, in pursuit of a late-season playoff push, are aggressively pursuing Lou Williams

The Charlotte Hornets might be eight games under .500 and in the 11th slot of the Eastern Conference, but that doesn’t mean they’re throwing the towel on the season just yet.

Charlotte limped into the NBA All-Star break, losing five-straight games and 12 of 13 overall. In need of scoring, and help off the bench, the Hornets are searching the trade market for help in the backcourt.

According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, the Hornets are pushing hard in their pursuit of Lou Williams, the Los Angeles Lakers’ super sixth man. The Hornets are a number of teams that are interested in Williams, who is almost guaranteed to get moved before Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline.

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"[via ESPN]Charlotte aggressively pursuing Los Angeles guard Lou Williams, league sources tell ESPN. As @ESPNSteinLine notes, most likely to be dealt."

Charlotte traded for Miles Plumlee earlier this year, sending Roy Hibbert to the Milwaukee Bucks. However, that move hasn’t exactly paid off for the Hornets.

It’s safe to say that the Hornets are willing to do whatever they can in order to avoid throwing away a season. After making the playoffs in two of the last three years, coupled with the money that they spent this past offseason, Charlotte can’t really afford to take a step back.

If they were to miss the playoffs and land right back in the NBA Draft lottery, that’s exactly what they’d be doing to a certain extent.

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So, how far will the Hornets go, in way of giving away assets, in order to make a late-season push to the playoffs? We’re going to find out. Though, if they are forced to trade away a first-round pick, they better do everything in their negotiating power to protect it.