Lakers Secure Mark Williams in Trade with Hornets
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a major roster upgrade by acquiring Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. In exchange, the Lakers will send Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to Charlotte.
This move follows the high-profile trade involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis, which left the Lakers searching for a reliable presence in the paint. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has been proactive in addressing this void, leading to Williams’ addition.
Standing 7 feet tall, Williams is in the midst of an impressive third NBA season, averaging a career-best 15.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. His athleticism and shot-blocking ability will be crucial for the Lakers, especially in complementing Doncic’s playmaking.
Before this trade, Jaxson Hayes had been the Lakers’ primary center but struggled against stronger opponents and battled foul trouble over his two seasons with the team. The Lakers’ depth at the position had also taken a hit, with Christian Wood sidelined all season due to a knee injury and no confirmed return date. Additionally, Christian Koloko, Trey Jemison III, and Armel Traore have seen limited action this year, adding to the team’s frontcourt concerns.
While the addition of Williams strengthens the Lakers’ interior defense, it comes at the cost of Knecht, the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Tennessee. Knecht has had an impressive rookie campaign, ranking fifth in total points and second in three-pointers made among first-year players. He has also recorded two 25-point games, tied for second-best among rookies.
For the Hornets, this deal aligns with their long-term strategy of accumulating draft assets. They now hold their own first-round picks for the next seven drafts, along with a top-14 protected first-round pick from Miami (2027, unprotected in 2028), a top-2 protected first from Dallas (2027), the right to swap first-round picks with the Lakers in 2030, and an unprotected first-rounder from Los Angeles in 2031.
