A couple days following the February 6 NBA trade deadline, the blockbuster Mark Williams/Dalton Knecht trade between the Charlotte Hornets and LA Lakers fell apart, due to a failed physical exam, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
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Mark Williams' physical with the Lakers showed multiple issues and the team failed him on the exam, sources tell ESPN. The physical was not failed due to his back, however. https://t.co/lY4XrSIlHf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2025
In a recent interview with Hornets insider Rod Boone, Mark Williams has now opened up about the voided trade, saying he is not sure why the Lakers medical staff said he was not healthy.
"I didn't think I had failed my physical. That didn't even cross my mind," Williams said. "The night I got traded I played hella minutes. I didn't think in any world that was possible."
He continued, "Since I've been back at the start of the year, I've played games with a lot of minutes. I feel like every injury I've had has been well-documented and I've recovered, and been 100% since. So, I don't know what went into that decision. I think that's up to them."
Certainly, both Williams and Lakers fans/players alike expressed excitement over the trade, as the team was undoubtedly lacking a Center since infamously trading away Anthony Davis to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic.
MARK WILLIAMS HAD 38 POINTS IN A GAME A WEEK AGO
THE LEAGUE IS SHAKING 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/O3idzUDcu3
— Jake (@playoffjake) February 6, 2025
That is to say, other players around the league were evidently relieved when the trade got canceled.
Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George expressed this sentiment while on a podcast.
“I think it’s gonna work.. Thank God the Mark Williams sh*t didn’t go through.. Good Luck in the West - it’s gonna be a nightmare when you play the Lakers”
- Paul George on the Lakers 🍿 pic.twitter.com/ZB6z0QiuEs
— NBALakersReport (@NBALakersReport) February 19, 2025
"What Luka is so great at playing [with] is athletic 5's, you know that's what unlocks his game, and his potential and his ability to get downfield and put pressure at the rim, is having an aerial 5 man, that can take the lid off the roof, so it's going to be definitely dynamic with Jaxson Hayes there at the center position."
"It's gonna work," George continued. "[But] thank God the Mark Williams s*** didn't go through... Good Luck in the West - it's gonna be a nightmare when you play the Lakers."
Now in what apparently may be a "revenge game," Williams will face-off with the Lakers his first game back, Wednesday, February 19 at 10:00 pm ET.
Williams noted, "Can't write it any other way right? NBA script. It's just what it is."
Winner gets Dalton Knecht and Mark Williams pic.twitter.com/6BIPhF1jcS
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) February 18, 2025
