Lou Williams rewards Hawks’ confidence with big Game 4 starting in Trae Young’s place

The Los Angeles Clippers traded Lou Williams to the sixth-place Atlanta Hawks at the March trade deadline.

Going from a championship contender to a team that fired its coach earlier in the month was not what Williams wanted, even if it was a trade to his hometown and the team he spent two seasons with earlier in his career.

He contemplated retirement. When he joined the Hawks in Phoenix in late March, he reconsidered.

“I was just accepted. I was wanted,” Williams said. “I didn’t get the feeling that this was a trade that they just threw together for money reasons or whatever. I felt like I was going to be a part of the success here, and when I met with the guys in Phoenix, they were really warm to me and really appreciated me being there as their teammate, so that feels good. That feels good. A warm welcome anywhere feels good, going into a situation you’re not very familiar with.

Read more