The 3&D Wing NO ONE Wants to Trade For.
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at a familiar crossroads. The team is once again searching for answers to shore up its depth, plug defensive holes, and maximize the remaining prime years of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But unlike previous seasons, the Lakers’ asset cupboard is nearly bare. With limited draft capital and a roster built around aging stars, the question isn’t just who the Lakers should target, but who they realistically can.
Amid rumors swirling around bigger names and splashier deals, one potential acquisition stands out—not for his star power, but for his fit, price, and upside. Patrick Williams, the former No. 4 pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, currently languishing in the Chicago Bulls rotation, might just be the most gettable and sensible trade target for the Lakers this season. In this in-depth analysis, we’ll break down why Williams is a logical option, what he brings to the table, and whether the Lakers should stand pat—or stand Pat Williams.
Section 1: The Lakers’ Trade Dilemma
A Team in Need, But Not Much to Offer
The Lakers’ roster, as constructed, is top-heavy. LeBron and AD are still elite, but the supporting cast has struggled with consistency, injuries, and defensive lapses. The Lakers are desperate for a true 3-and-D wing—someone who can defend multiple positions, hit open threes, and provide the kind of versatility that’s essential in today’s NBA.
But the Lakers’ trade assets are limited. The only first-round pick they can offer is in 2031—a distant, uncertain chip that most teams aren’t eager to cash in. This reality narrows the pool of possible trade candidates to players who are undervalued, underutilized, or in need of a change of scenery.
The Patrick Williams Proposition
Patrick Williams fits this mold perfectly. He’s a 6’7” forward with a 7-foot wingspan, still just 24 years old, and has shown flashes of being a legitimate two-way contributor. Williams hasn’t lived up to his top-four draft billing in Chicago, but he remains one of the most realistic, attainable wing defenders for a team like the Lakers.
Section 2: Patrick Williams—Profile of a Rehab Project
The Numbers: Not Flashy, But Promising
Williams’ career averages don’t jump off the page: 9.3 points, 4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 blocks per game. But dig deeper, and there’s real value:
Shooting Efficiency: 44.7% from the field, 39.4% from three for his career.
2023-24 Season: Shooting above 40% from three, 1.4 threes per game in just 19 minutes off the bench.
Williams is a reliable catch-and-shoot threat, particularly from the corners, where he’s shot in the 40% range over the past two seasons. For a Lakers team often starved for spacing, Williams’ shooting is a quietly elite asset.
The Defense: More Than Meets the Eye
Williams’ defensive metrics are impressive, especially in advanced analytics:
Perimeter Isolation Defense: 88th percentile (A- grade, per Bball Index)
Ball Screen Navigation: 79th percentile (B+ grade)
Passing Lane Defense & Pickpocket Rating: Consistently grades out as above average.
On tape, Williams is strong, physical, and leverages his length to disrupt ball handlers. He excels against “tweener” forwards and can switch onto smaller guards with help behind him. He’s not a lockdown Herb Jones-type, but he’s a competent, engaged defender who raises a team’s overall defensive floor.
Williams is also a good team help defender, rotating well from the weak side to contest shots and create chaos in passing lanes. His motor and active hands make him a valuable connective piece in any defensive scheme.
Section 3: The Fit—Why Williams Makes Sense for LA
The Lakers’ Defensive Woes
Los Angeles has been porous defensively, especially at the wing. The team lacks size, length, and athleticism outside of its stars. Williams, with his combination of physicality and mobility, would immediately upgrade the Lakers’ ability to defend bigger wings and stretch fours—areas where they’ve been consistently exploited.
The Offense: Catch-and-Shoot Specialist
Williams is exactly the type of role player who can thrive alongside LeBron and AD. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, can space the floor, and is a threat from the corners. His 39-41% three-point shooting is not just good—it’s elite for a role player, especially for a Lakers team that often struggles to generate open looks.
Age and Upside
At 24, Williams is still young enough to improve. His contract runs three more years after this season at a flat $18 million per year, with a player option in 2028-29. If Williams develops even marginally, his deal could look like a bargain as the salary cap rises and the mid-level exception approaches $18 million.
Section 4: The Downsides—Why Williams Isn’t a Home Run
Plateaued Development
Williams hasn’t become the offensive weapon or two-way force the Bulls hoped for. He’s settled into more of a 3-and-D bench role, guarding power forwards better than wings. He’s not a point-of-attack perimeter defender who can chase elite guards through screens, nor is he a dynamic shot creator.
Contract Concerns
The biggest risk is his contract. If Williams doesn’t progress, the Lakers could be stuck paying $18 million a year for a role player. However, with his age and skill set, there’s a reasonable chance he could outplay that deal, especially in a winning environment.
Comparison: Dorian Finney-Smith
Williams is best viewed as a younger version of Dorian Finney-Smith—a solid, versatile defender who can hit threes and guard multiple positions. He’s not a star, but he’s exactly the kind of player who fills gaps on a contending roster.
Section 5: The Trade Mechanics—Can the Lakers Make It Work?
What Would It Take?
The Bulls have little leverage; Williams has slipped in their rotation, and Chicago is retooling. The Lakers could offer salary filler, a second-round pick, or a protected future first. The key is not surrendering their 2031 first-round pick unless absolutely necessary.
The Asset Equation
For the Lakers, Williams is a realistic target precisely because he doesn’t command a massive haul. He’s undervalued, underutilized, and on a reasonable contract. For a team with few assets, this is the kind of move that makes sense.
Section 6: The Lakers’ Rotation—How Williams Would Fit
Possible Lineups
Williams could start at small forward, giving the Lakers a true 3-and-D option. He’d be an upgrade over Rui Hachimura defensively and provide more consistent shooting. Williams could also play alongside LeBron, AD, and Austin Reaves, forming a versatile, switchable defensive unit.
The Impact
Williams wouldn’t transform the Lakers overnight, but he would raise their defensive floor, improve spacing, and provide much-needed youth and athleticism. He’s not a lockdown defender, but he’s a significant upgrade over the current options.
Section 7: What’s Next? The Lakers’ Deadline Strategy
Should the Lakers Stand Pat—or Stand Pat Williams?
Given the lack of assets and the need for immediate help, Patrick Williams represents the ideal “consolation prize” for the Lakers. He’s not a star, but he’s a realistic, attainable upgrade who fits the team’s needs and timeline.
If the Lakers believe in their developmental system and internal culture, Williams could flourish in LA. By 2028-29, his contract could look like a steal, and he’d still be in his prime.
The Kombucha Girl Meme: Embracing the Mid
Williams is the definition of a “mid” target—neither exciting nor disappointing. But sometimes, embracing the mid is exactly what a contender needs. The Lakers don’t have the assets for a splashy move, but Williams is a low-risk, high-upside play who could pay dividends.
Section 8: The Verdict—Should LA Pull the Trigger?
The Case For
Elite catch-and-shoot ability
Strong, versatile defender
Fits the Lakers’ immediate needs
Young, with room to grow
Reasonable contract that could age well
The Case Against
Offensive limitations
Not a lockdown perimeter defender
Risk of stagnation on a long contract
Final Recommendation
If the Lakers can acquire Patrick Williams without surrendering their future first-round pick, they should do it. He’s the most realistic, gettable 6’7” wing defender on the market, and he’s exactly the kind of player who can help LA contend this year and beyond.
Conclusion: The Lakers’ Path Forward
The Lakers’ trade deadline strategy must be rooted in realism. Splashy moves aren’t available, and the team can’t afford to mortgage its future for marginal upgrades. Patrick Williams is a sensible, attainable target who fills a glaring need and offers upside at a reasonable cost.
He won’t solve every problem, but he’ll make the Lakers better. And in a league where every edge matters, that’s enough reason to make the call.
