One of the biggest trade chips is officially off the market.
One of the trade deadline’s biggest chips is off the board — and not via trade.
The Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a three-year deal with 31-year-old Lou Williams with a team option on the final year, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The person requested anonymity because the deal wasn’t announced publicly yet.
Rival executives had expected the Clippers to move Williams to a contender in the wake of the Blake Griffin trade, but the reality is teams were unwilling to part with the coveted first-round picks it would’ve taken to nab Williams. Furthermore, the surplus of wings available depressed the market leaving the Clippers less likely to get adequate return on him.
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Williams is in the midst of his best season as a pro, averaging 23.3 points and 5.3 assists on nearly 44% shooting from the field.
The Salt Lake Tribune first reported the deal.
The trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
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