There are many reasons why Lou Williams is among the top targets at the start of the trading season, but his calling card has always been 'getting buckets.' The dynamic combo guard is thriving in a starring role with the depleted Los Angeles Clippers, averaging a career-high 20.0 points on 45 percent FG shooting and 40 percent from behind the three-point line.

The Houston Rockets traded for Williams at last season’s trade deadline for his explosive scoring ability, and his name will once again pop out in the rumor mill heading into the final days of the NBA trading period.

Here are the latest rumors concerning Williams and his potential trade suitors:

Oklahoma City Thunder

The OKC Thunder boasts one of the most talented offensive trios in the NBA, as Russell Westbrook (22.6 ppg), Paul George (20.3 ppg) and Carmelo Anthony (17.7 ppg) combined for almost 75 percent of the team’s total point production per game. However, OKC bench hasn’t provided that much this year. In fact, it’s been a while since the Thunder had a reliable scorer off the bench. Great Thunder teams in the past usually had James Harden and Reggie Jackson on their second unit to lean on. Right now, they don’t have a clear-cut scorer off the bench.

The Skinny: Williams would dramatically improve the Thunder’s offensive firepower.

The question now is which players the Thunder are willing to give up in exchange for the former Sixth Man of the Year. Spanish guard Alex Abrines looks like an enticing trade bait. The same could also be said for rookie winger Terrance Ferguson, who never gets enough playing time because of the logjam at the wing spot.

The Portland Trail Blazers

OKC’s situation is somewhat similar to the Trail Blazers’ current ordeal. Portland has one of the NBA’s most explosive backcourt duo in Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum, but sorely lacks a spark from their bench. Evan Turner is a solid all-around player, though he has never been known for scoring the ball in bunches.

The Skinny: What the Blazers are missing is a high-caliber scorer like Williams. Terry Stotts’ offense is predicated on the offensive ability of his backcourt. Right now, the Blazers don’t have a player who could emulate the impact Lillard and McCollum on the offensive end. Trading Williams would absolutely solve that problem. Of course, the Clippers aren’t just going to give up Williams that easily.

The Blazers don’t have much to use as trade bait. They can convince the Clippers to take Ed Davis’ expiring contract worth $6 million along with a future first rounder. Again, it’s going to be a hard sell, and it may require the inclusion of another prospect (Caleb Swanigan or Noah Vonleh) in their package to seal the deal.
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