Lakers’ Deal for Mark Williams Falls Apart After Failed Physical
A blockbuster trade that would have brought Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams to the Lakers collapsed this weekend after he failed his physical examination in Los Angeles.
The deal’s collapse is a major setback for the Lakers, who’ve been desperately searching for a star big man before the trade deadline.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that doctors found multiple health concerns during Williams’ physical. It’s not entirely surprising, given that the young center has only played in 85 out of 212 possible games during his two-and-a-half years with the Hornets.
The Lakers were ready to give up quite a bit for Williams. The package included rookie sensation Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap, and their 2031 first-round pick.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ VP of basketball operations and GM, had been confident about Williams passing the medical checks.
“We fully vetted his health stuff, led by Dr. Kris Jones at UCLA Health and Dr. Leroy Sims on our team, and he’s had no surgeries,” Pelinka said before the physical. “He’s still growing into his body. We’re not concerned about those injuries we’ve seen.”
That confidence turned out to be misplaced.
The Hornets, meanwhile, seem pretty happy to keep their young center. In a statement released after the trade fell through, they admitted they’d only reluctantly agreed to move Williams after “aggressive” pursuit from the Lakers.
“We have always held great respect for Mark’s talent, work ethic, and character,” the Hornets said. “We are thrilled to see him rejoin our roster as a dynamic presence at the starting center position.”
The failed trade leaves the Lakers still searching for help in the frontcourt as they try to make a playoff push.
For Williams, it’s back to Charlotte, where he’ll try to stay healthy and live up to his promising potential.
