After Clippers guard Lou Williams scored his 15,000th career point Wednesday in San Antonio, the 16-year veteran was given the game ball in the locker room following his team’s blowout victory.
“It’s just a pleasure and honor to have him on our team,” coach Tyronn Lue said.
He was on the team, it turns out, for another 12 hours.
Just before the NBA’s noon PDT trade deadline Thursday, the Clippers reached a deal with Atlanta to acquire Rajon Rondo in exchange for Williams, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed. In addition, the Clippers are sending Atlanta a 2023 second-round draft pick via Portland and the Clippers’ own 2027 second-round pick, a second person with knowledge of the deal’s parameters said.