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Lou Williams reportedly considered retiring when he found out he was being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Atlanta Hawks in March. Now, according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, Williams is looking for a multi-year deal on The Hoops Hype Podcast, and seems to have interest in returning to the Hawks.
Williams hinted at a potential return with the hashtag “#thinkimcomingback” in a recent Instagram post that followed the Hawks’ heartbreaking season-ending loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.
Hawks GM Travis Schlenk also seemed to have interest in bringing back Williams when speaking with media Monday afternoon. “We’d be extremely open to talking to him and his camp about moving forward,” said Schlenk. “I thought he added a lot to our team,” the GM added. Schlenk spoke about Williams’ presence both in the locker room and on the court, citing his work as a mentor with both Trae Young and Onyeka Okongwu since arriving to Atlanta.
Schlenk also spoke about how the Hawks have struggled to keep the backup point guard role filled throughout Young’s career during the same availability on Monday, hinting at the need for a player like Williams heading into next season. As of now, Young is only point guard on the Hawks’ roster heading into the offseason, with both Williams and Brandon Goodwin becoming free agents.
Williams, a native of Gwinnett County, seems enthused about potentially staying ‘home’ in what could be the last contract he signs in what has turned out to be a very long and successful NBA career. Williams, a 16-year veteran, averages 14.3 points per game for his career, and is a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year award winner (2015, 2018, 2019).
Stay tuned.