Lou Williams decides to opt out of his final year option with the Philadelphia 76ers – NBA News
After a successful stint with the Philadelphia 76ers that saw them advance to the Eastern Conference Semi Finals this year, it appeared that Sixers guard Lou Williams would pick up the final year option on his contract and return
next year with the same team which surprised everyone in the league this season. However, that has not turned out to be the case.
Williams had a big role to play in the success of the Sixers this season, who were involved in a battle for 8th spot with the Milwaukee Bucks at the end of the season. The Sixers managed to win the battle that saw them
going into the postseason facing the 1st seeded Chicago Bulls.
With Derrick Rose for the season with an ACL injury to his left knee, the Sixers were able to wrap up the series against the Bulls in six games, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semi Finals. They lost to the Boston Celtics
in 7 games which brought an end to their dramatic season, but the team and management were optimistic about next season.
Williams averaged 14.9 points and 3.5 assists in the regular season to become one of the most consistent scoring options for the Sixers and earned a runner spot to the 6th man of the year trophy.
Now that the season is over for the Sixers, Williams has decided to opt out of his contract and become a free agent, in the hopes of landing a better pay day.
Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Williams’ agent Leon Rose has confirmed that the player has opted out of his contract.
The Sixers are a defensive oriented team and the absence of Williams will be a big blow on their offense. They will now have to compete with other teams if they want to hire his services for another few years and it remains to
be seen if they have the space to offer him a contract which would match other offers.
Williams is young, energetic and athletic and he has the ability to score. Those are all traits that will land him a good contract. The only part to be seen is the extent to which the Sixers will go in an effort to retain their
leading scorer from last year. It will not be a straight forward job for the franchise which also has Spencer Hawes on the market and a huge contract of Elton Brand in the next season.
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