Lakers Legend Lou Williams Reflects on No. 23 Jersey

The prolific sixth man spent one and a half seasons with the Lakers.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Lou Williams, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year, played 17 seasons in the NBA and spent a brief stint with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2015 to 2017. During his time with the Lakers, Williams wore the iconic No. 23 jersey and averaged 16.8 points and 2.8 assists per game in 26.5 minutes of action.

Why it matters

As one of the most successful sixth men in NBA history, Lou Williams' tenure with the Lakers provides insight into the team's roster and bench production during a transitional period for the franchise.

The details

Williams, a second-round draft pick in 2005, established himself as one of the league's premier bench scorers over his 17-year career. He joined the Lakers as a free agent in 2015 and spent one and a half seasons with the team, providing a scoring punch off the bench before being traded to the Houston Rockets midway through the 2016-17 season.

  • Williams joined the Lakers as a free agent in 2015.
  • He spent one and a half seasons with the Lakers from 2015 to 2017.
  • The Lakers traded Williams to the Houston Rockets midway through the 2016-17 season.

The players

Lou Williams

A three-time Sixth Man of the Year who played 17 seasons in the NBA, including a brief stint with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2015 to 2017.

Corey Brewer

The player the Lakers received in the trade that sent Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets.

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What they’re saying

“Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.”

— Robert Marvi, Author (yahoo.com)

What’s next

The Lakers will honor Lou Williams' contributions to the team during a special halftime ceremony later this season.

The takeaway

Lou Williams' time with the Lakers, though brief, showcased his ability to provide a scoring spark off the bench, a skill that made him one of the most valuable sixth men in the league during his career.