Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers' Williams: 'No idea' why things didn't work out with Raptors

Published Jul. 22, 2015 5:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

Lou Williams won the Sixth Man of the Year award for his production with the Raptors last season, which included a career-best 15.5 points-per-game scoring average while playing 25.2 minutes per contest exclusively as a reserve.

But all that wasn't enough for Toronto to have him back next season.

Williams was an unrestricted free agent, and signed a deal with the Lakers worth $21 million over three years. The Raptors never made retaining Williams a priority, and when he was asked what might have gone wrong with the relationship at his introductory press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, he was unable to provide any answers.

"No idea," Williams said, via Serena Winters of Lakers Nation. "That’s in the past, I enjoyed my time there."

Williams was vital to the regular-season success the Raptors experienced, but a disappointing playoff exit -- a somewhat embarrassing first-round sweep at the hands of Paul Pierce and the Washington Wizards -- had the team looking to go in a different direction.

The Raptors replaced Williams with Corey Joseph in free agency, a much more defensive-oriented player at the guard position. They continued to focus on defense by adding DeMarre Carroll and Bismack Biyombo, in what was a clear effort to upgrade a team that finished just 23rd in defensive efficiency last season.

Letting Williams go was more about Toronto's issues as a team than what he brings to the table personally.

As a veteran of 10 years, Williams will be a welcome addition in Los Angeles. Not only can he provide some instant offense, but he can also act as a mentor of sorts to the team's young backcourt of Jordan Clarkson and the newly drafted D'Angelo Russell.

(h/t: Serena Winters on Twitter)

Photo Credit: Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports