Lakers Trade Rumors: Hornets Reportedly 'Aggressively Pursuing' Lou Williams

Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Lou Williams has been a hot trade candidate in advance of the NBA's Feb. 23 deadline, and a new suitor has reportedly emerged for his services. 

According to ESPN.com's Chris Haynes, the Charlotte Hornets are "aggressively pursuing" the Sixth Man of the Year candidate in a deadline deal.

The Hornets—who are currently 2.5 games back in a crowded race for the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed—aren't the only team chasing Williams. 

The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Washington Wizards have expressed interest in the volume scorer, while ESPN.com's Ian Begley passed along word that "some members of the Utah Jazz front office expressed interest" in dealing for Williams. 

Although the Lakers are in the midst of an organizational overhaul after Magic Johnson was hired Tuesday as the franchise's new president of basketball operations, the team appears intent on trying to maximize return for Williams. 

On Tuesday, Johnson even acknowledged "the majority of calls" the Lakers have received thus far have been inquiries into Williams' availability, according to the Orange County Register's Bill Oram. 

PPG	APG	FG%	3P%	PER
18.6	3.2	44.4	38.6	24.1

When it comes to the Hornets, specifically, Williams would be a natural fit. 

Not only is he on a team-friendly deal that pays out $7 million this season and next season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2018, but he would help infuse Charlotte's bench with some additional perimeter firepower, as NBA Math noted on Twitter: 

Through 56 games this season, the Hornets rank 23rd in bench field-goal percentage (43.1) and 24th in bench three-point percentage. 

With Kemba Walker already shouldering a significant offensive workload and Ramon Sessions sidelined by a torn meniscus, adding an on-ball playmaker like Williams who can create his own shot is imperative.

Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.com.