Lou Williams to the Nets? Highly Unlikely

Shams Charania, in a report for RealGM, listed the Nets as a possible suitor for Lou Williams, who will be an unrestricted free agent next month.

Lou Williams is expected to receive strong interest from teams that include the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, providing a clear competition for the Toronto Raptors to retain the NBA’s reigning Sixth Man of the Year, league sources told RealGM.

Realistic? Hardly. After averaging 15.5 points a game in 25 minutes this season, Williams is likely to command a salary of $8 million or more over four.  Unless things change drastically --and somehow the Nets get under the luxury tax threshold on Draft Night-- all they'll be able to offer is the mini-MLE, or a little less than $3.5 million over three.

Billy King did draft Williams (the last player drafted right out of high school) in the second round a decade ago, but loyalty and friendship only go so far.  So what's with the rumor?  Sounds like agent talk. For Williams, the more (perceived) competition, the better.

• Lou Williams' Expected Free Agent Interest Gives Raptors Competition - Shams Charania - RealGM
• NBA Free Agency Rumors: Brooklyn Nets Want Lou Williams? - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game