The 2025 trade deadline has been full of surprises, continuing to make waves even days later. Unfortunately for the Charlotte Hornets, their recent trade with the Los Angeles Lakers has been voided after Mark Williams failed his physical.
As a result, Williams is heading back to Charlotte, while the Hornets must return the assets they had acquired from the Lakers—Dalton Knecht and an unprotected first-round pick in 2031.
The situation has turned into a case of conflicting narratives, with the Hornets subtly taking a shot at Los Angeles by referring to them as “the other team” in their statement. They also claimed that the Lakers had “aggressively pursued” Williams.
Meanwhile, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka now faces scrutiny for stating on Friday that Los Angeles had “vetted” Williams’ injury history and was “not concerned” about his health.
Curiously, the Lakers later discovered a significant issue with Williams’ foot—something that caught many off guard. While his injury history is extensive, and he has dealt with multiple foot problems over the past three years, concerns had primarily centered around his back.
The trade falling through has resulted in both winners and losers.
Winner: Nick Smith Jr.
Dalton Knecht’s arrival would have given the Hornets a potential sharpshooter, but it also raised questions about Nick Smith Jr.’s future role. The second-year guard has been on a hot streak, averaging 21.3 points and 3.8 three-pointers per game on 58.9% shooting in his last four games.
Had Knecht stayed in Charlotte, Smith Jr. would have faced increased competition for minutes, particularly with Brandon Miller and (presumably) Tre Mann returning from injury next season. With Knecht no longer part of the equation, Smith Jr. has one less obstacle to worry about.
Loser: Mark Williams
Williams might be feeling uncertain about his career trajectory. He seemed eager to join the Lakers, even posting purple and gold heart emojis on X (formerly Twitter) after the trade was initially announced.
The silver lining is that he returns to a familiar role in Charlotte. However, going back to the organization that just traded him could be an awkward situation. Additionally, the latest developments might have negatively impacted his trade value, as speculation about his long-term health continues to grow.
Winner: Dalton Knecht
Like Williams, Knecht may feel some discomfort returning to his original team’s locker room. However, playing alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić should ease any concerns.
At 24 years old this April, Knecht likely prefers being part of a title-contending team rather than a rebuilding franchise.
Loser: Moussa Diabate
Moussa Diabate wasted no time proving that Charlotte’s center position was in good hands. In the team’s first game after the deadline, the French big man posted nine points, 15 rebounds, and six assists while holding his own against fellow Frenchman and rising star Victor Wembanyama.
Diabate seemed poised to have his two-way contract converted into a standard deal. However, with Williams back and Jusuf Nurkić also joining the Hornets—unless their trade with Phoenix is also reversed—Diabate might struggle to secure meaningful minutes.
Winner: Other Western Conference Contenders
Following their trade deadline moves, the Lakers saw a significant boost in their championship odds. However, now that their deal with Charlotte has been overturned, Los Angeles is left with limited options to address its depth at center.
Perhaps the Lakers are targeting a buyout candidate, which would explain why they were comfortable walking away from Williams. Still, it’s difficult to imagine them finding a better alternative to strengthen their frontcourt for a deep playoff run.
Loser: The Hornets’ Future
Charlotte’s frustration with the Lakers’ decision may stem from having to forfeit valuable assets—a 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap—that would have been beneficial in their rebuilding efforts. Losing these draft picks means one less tool in their arsenal for the future.
Additionally, the situation casts a shadow over Hornets executive Jeff Peterson. If it turns out that he knowingly tried to pass off Williams’ health concerns to a desperate Lakers front office, his reputation could take a major hit.
