Ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, the Lakers and Hornets made a deal that would send Mark Williams to LA in exchange for rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and future draft capital.
Videos by FanBuzz
However, now reports have come out saying the trade has been rescinded, due to "failure to satisfy a condition of the trade."
The trade was conditional on Mark Williams and Dalton Knecht reporting and passing a physical.
Because the deadline has passed, the trade was not allowed to be amended.
Williams goes back to Charlotte
Knecht/Cam Reddish to LAL
The draft conditions: 2030 swap and 2031…
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 9, 2025
ESPN's Shams Charania reported, "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."
As a result of the voided trade, all players will head back to their original teams, which may affect the Lakers down the stretch, especially when looking at their depth in the front court.
Coming off the blockbuster Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic trade, GM Rob Pelinka was looking to acquire a center, and 7-foot Williams, 23, was seemingly the perfect fit, as he averaged 18.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks in the month of February.
Mark Williams when playing 25+ MIN:
19.9 PPG
11.8 RPG
2.8 APG
61.3% FGHe’s still only 23 years old. pic.twitter.com/nnHVsoORr4
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) February 6, 2025
That is to say, Williams' durability has always been a concern, and that may have been the reason GM Jeff Peterson was willing to offer him to the Lakers.
Hornets knew Mark Williams body was cooked. This is from NBA reporter Jared Greenberg when the trade happened. Charlotte tried to pull a fast one on the Lakers and give them a damaged player lol. pic.twitter.com/X4Xi68bSVX
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) February 9, 2025
Despite high production when on the court, Williams has only played in 85 games since getting drafted in 2022; mainly due to injuries, the big man has missed a total of 127 games.
All in all, in view of the fact that the trade deadline has already come and gone, the Lakers may have to take their chances in the free agent market. Currently, Jaxson Hayes is about the only true center on the roster, and he has averaged a mere 5.5 points in 17.4 minutes per game this season.
Mark Williams trade gets rescinded.
Lakers need a center again.Dwight Howard: pic.twitter.com/cpRCINxPu3
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) February 9, 2025
On a positive note, Knecht's return to the rotation will once again give a boost to the team's shooting, as the rookie has had an impressive start to his NBA career, averaging 9.4 points (35.8% 3PT) in limited playing time this year.
Related: Anthony Davis Pleads With Lakers Front Office To Pick Up A Center Ahead Of NBA Trade Deadline
