Lakers trade Lou Williams to Rockets

Magic's first deal: Lakers trade Lou Williams to Rockets

Magic Johnson made his first move as the Los Angeles Lakers’ president of basketball operations, trading guard Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets, league sources told The Vertical.

Johnson was directly engaged with Rockets officials on the trade Tuesday afternoon and evening, league sources said.

The Rockets will send a 2017 first-round pick and forward Corey Brewer to the Lakers, sources said.

The pick gives the Lakers a chance to have two first-rounders in this year’s deep draft class.

I think the Lakers could have gotten a better deal for Lou. Essentially, the Lakers got an expiring tradable contract if they sit on it until next year and a potentially a very late 1st round pick for the Lakers best trading asset.

Back around the time the Lakers lost Ariza, I actually liked the idea if Brewer came to the Lakers. But I wish they Lakers could have somehow used Williams to get some reprieve from Deng or Mozgov's bad contract as well.

The Lakers just wanted to dump Lou Williams since he was hurting their chances at a high draft pick with every point he was scoring. While I like that he can be an insurance policy for injury-prone Eric Gordon, this is not the move that puts the Rockets in the same tier as the Cavs, Warriors, and Spurs. Leaves me wishing it was the Rockets who swung for DeMarcus Cousins, especially considering the bits and pieces Sacramento got in return for him.

This is addition by subtraction move by the Lakers. Now young core gets more touches and I am sure all the Lakers fans are on board with it.

Morey for GM of the year