Williams announced Sunday in a YouTube video that he has retired from professional basketball.
After not playing professionally in 2022-23, the 36-year-old Williams is now opting to bring a formal end to his career following a 17-year run in the NBA that included stops with the 76ers, Hawks, Raptors, Lakers, Rockets and Clippers. After entering the league in 2005 as a second-round draft pick out of high school, Williams went on to win three Sixth Man of the Year Awards, tying Jamal Crawford for the most in NBA history. Williams ranks as the NBA's all-time leader in bench scoring, with 13,396 of his 15,593 career points coming as a reserve.
Williams is not planning to retire and will be "proactive in talking to teams during free agency," per his agent Wallace Prather, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
The 17-year veteran's days as one of the league's best sixth men may be in the rearview mirror, but Williams still believes he has plenty to offer. He appeared in 56 games for the Hawks last season but saw only 14.3 minutes per game -- his fewest in any season since 2006-07. At this stage in his career, Williams may have trouble securing a larger role, but he'll likely draw plenty of interest on the open market as a veteran scoring option off the bench.
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Hawks' Lou Williams: Remains out for Game 5
Rotowire
Williams (back) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Heat, Brad Rowland of PeachtreeHoops.com reports.
Williams hasn't played since April 5. Delon Wright will once again act as the backup point guard to Trae Young during the Hawks' win-or-go-home matchup Tuesday.
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Hawks' Lou Williams: Still out Sunday
Rotowire
Williams (back) is out for Sunday's Game 4 against the Heat, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.
Williams hasn't played since April 5. He'll likely hold a fairly small role when he returns.
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Hawks' Lou Williams: Out Friday
Rotowire
Williams (back) is out for Friday's Game 3 against the Heat.
Williams hasn't played since April 5. He'll likely hold a fairly small role when he returns.
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Hawks' Lou Williams: Out again Tuesday
Rotowire
Williams (back) is out for Game 2 against the Heat on Tuesday, Brad Rowland of PeachtreeHoops.com reports.
The veteran continues to deal with back soreness and hasn't played since April 5. Delon Wright is expected to continue operating as the primary backup point guard to Trae Young during the duration of Williams' absence.
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Hawks' Lou Williams: Out Sunday
Rotowire
Williams (back) is out for Game 1 against the Heat on Sunday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
The veteran continues to deal with back soreness and hasn't played since April 5. Even when available, he may only give the Hawks about 10 minutes per game in the postseason, if not fewer.
