Mark Williams now finds himself in a bit of an awkward situation. The Charlotte Hornets traded their center to the Los Angeles Lakers for small forward Dalton Knecht, but things are rolling back. The Williams-Knecht trade has reportedly fallen apart, and Mark will have to join the home camp again.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal was rescinded due to complications with Williams’ physical examination. Williams failed the physical, though not specifically due to his troubled back. This unexpected situation now leaves Williams back in Charlotte, where he has the chance to develop further. And Knecht returns to Los Angeles, where he must now reintegrate into a roster that had anticipated a change. However, the Hornets front office broke its silence and tweeted after the shortcoming.
“We are excited to welcome Mark back to our Hornets organization. After the other team aggressively pursued Mark, we made the difficult decision to move him. We have always held great respect for Mark’s talent, work ethic, and character. We are thrilled to see him rejoin our roster as a dynamic presence at the starting center position. His return strengthens our team, and we look forward to the impact he will make on and off the court,” the statement read.
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) February 9, 2025
For the Lakers, this rescinded trade is particularly disheartening as they push towards their playoff aspirations. After acquiring Luka Doncic, the Lakers viewed Williams as a critical piece for their frontcourt, especially after trading Anthony Davis. With that plan gone awry, Los Angeles is left with a gaping hole.
And the potential of starting Jaxson Hayes alongside Christian Wood and other forwards seems far from ideal. Especially when facing elite big men like Nikola Jokic and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the postseason.
What’s Next For Lakers After Mark Williams Trade Rescinded?
So now that Mark Williams is not moving to the Lakers, LA finds themselves grappling with an urgent need for frontcourt help. With Anthony Davis gone and Maxi Kleber sidelined for at least eight weeks, the team is now relying heavily on Jaxson Hayes.
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Though Hayes has shown glimpses of potential, he has mostly been inconsistent during his tenure with the Lakers. The absence of a reliable center could severely impact the team’s chance in a congested playoff race. With the trade deadline now passed, the Lakers cannot pursue another center via trade this season.
BREAKING: The Mark Williams/Dalton Knecht trade between the Hornets and the Lakers has been rescinded due to Hornets’ failure to satisfy a condition of the trade pic.twitter.com/qwniCa6yOJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 9, 2025
The Lakers are now starting to look to their immediate future with the understanding that they must make the most of the players still on the roster. Additionally, the coaching staff may need to experiment with changes in lineup configurations. They could deploy LeBron James at the center position during select moments. While this could enable the team to maximize offensive versatility, it does raise concerns about the strain on a 40-year-old player.
Also Read: Former NBA Swingman Jalen Rose Put Mavericks Owner On Blast Over Stunning Luka Doncic Trade
