The Los Angeles Lakers have rescinded their trade to acquire Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams due to the player failing his physical examination, creating uncertainty around the team's center position.
Initially agreed upon on Wednesday evening, the trade involved the Lakers sending rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and draft picks—a first-round swap for 2030 and another unprotected first-round pick for 2031—to the Hornets. This deal was officially set to finalize on Thursday, following Los Angeles' impressive 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
But just days later, the Lakers announced Saturday night they were pulling back on the trade. According to reports, Williams failed to meet the physical examination required for the finalization of the trade due to multiple undisclosed issues, raising concerns over his lengthy injury history. Williams has only played 85 games out of a possible 212 during his three-season stint with the Hornets, indicating missed opportunities primarily due to injuries, including foot and back problems.
The Lakers' decision to rescind the trade was largely seen as disappointing, especially as Williams was viewed as the kind of vertical-spaced big man they needed to complement newly-acquired superstar Luka Doncic. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka originally expressed confidence about the transaction before its completion, stating, "We fully vetted his health stuff... So these are just parts of, he's still growing..."
Coach JJ Redick, who shared a history with Williams as fellow Duke alumni, made the team's intent clear by noting, "The trade is still pending so no answer there," when asked about Williams' availability before the Lakers faced off against the Indiana Pacers Saturday.
With the trade now voided, the Lakers face another challenge: they are without solidifying their center position, especially following the exit of prominent big man Anthony Davis, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the blockbuster deal for Doncic. Jaxson Hayes, who has been starting for the Lakers, is now left as the only recognized center on the roster, alongside newcomers Christian Koloko and Trey Jemison III. Yet, the latter players are two-way contract players, making them unavailable for postseason play.
The Lakers' search for alternatives to Williams has turned quickly to the buyout market, but it remains uncertain whether they can find any viable situations to fill the void left by Williams. Notably, options like Mo Bamba, Kelly Olynyk, and veteran Daniel Theis might be possible targets, but any replacements will likely not meet the expectations set for Williams, who stood out this season with averages of 16 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game prior to the trade proceedings.
This surprising turn of events adds unbearable tension to the Lakers' season. With the deadline now passed, and no ability to amend the deal, they must act quickly to fill the significant hole left by the rescinded transaction.
The Lakers, who have been on quite the roll—winning 11 out of their last 13 games—find themselves grappling with their current player lineup, hoping to avoid any negative impacts on their favorable performance trends. The void for reliable frontcourt support could significantly affect their chances as they progress throughout the current season.