The Los Angeles Lakers still need a center after unexpectedly backing out of their trade with the Charlotte Hornets due to Mark Williams failing his physical.
The Lakers initially cited “failure to satisfy a condition of the trade” as the reason for voiding the deal. However, multiple reports confirmed that Williams did not pass his physical—a revelation that shouldn’t be shocking.
The former Duke standout has struggled with injuries, particularly back problems, and has appeared in just 84 of 212 possible games since being drafted 15th overall in 2022.
Despite concerns about his health, ESPN’s Shams Charania clarified that Williams’ back issues were not the reason the Lakers scrapped the trade.
A Tense Reunion in Charlotte
The fallout creates an awkward situation for both teams. Rookie forward Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish will return to the Lakers, while Williams will rejoin the Hornets.
Charlotte attempted to mend fences with Williams via social media, stating they were “excited” to have their big man back “after the other team aggressively pursued Mark.” The Hornets had been set to acquire L.A.’s 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round pick swap.
In a somewhat perplexing statement, Charlotte added, “We made the difficult decision to move him. We have always held great respect for Mark’s talent, work ethic, and character.”
Lakers Still Searching for a Big Man
The Lakers remain in need of frontcourt depth after trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in a shocking blockbuster deal for Luka Doncic. The team is expected to closely monitor the buyout market for a veteran center to pair with Jaxson Hayes, who has averaged 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks as the starting center over the last four games.
