Mark Williams Trade Rescinded: What’s Next for the Lakers in the Buyout Market and Offseason?
The Los Angeles Lakers attempted to balance their present and future when they acquired Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. In the long run, they envisioned him as their long-term big man alongside Luka Doncic. In the short term, they were simply relieved to have a player with size. Despite having Anthony Davis, the Lakers needed help at center—Davis himself admitted as much.
Now that the Williams trade has been rescinded due to a failed physical, the Lakers are even more depleted up front. Davis is gone, and his replacement isn’t arriving either. That leaves Jaxson Hayes as the team’s only true center. Maxi Kleber, acquired in the Doncic trade, has filled in at center at times but is more of a forward and is sidelined for at least eight weeks. Two-way players Trey Jemison and Christian Koloko remain unproven. The Lakers’ frontcourt depth is severely lacking.
So what’s next? Where do the Lakers go from here for the rest of the season and beyond? Let’s break it down.
Could This Deal Be Revived?
No. Normally, a failed physical can lead to an amended trade. The Philadelphia 76ers, for example, added a second-round pick to finalize their Caleb Martin-for-Quentin Grimes trade after Martin’s hip injury raised concerns. However, that adjustment happened before the trade deadline. The Lakers needed more time to evaluate Williams but ultimately had to either approve or cancel the trade. They chose the latter, meaning the deal is dead unless both teams revisit talks in the summer. Since the deadline has passed, the Lakers can’t trade for another center.
Can the Lakers Add a Center This Season? Who’s Available?
The biggest beneficiary of this situation? Jaxson Hayes. Despite struggling in a backup role, he now has an opportunity to play major minutes alongside Doncic and LeBron James before hitting free agency. This is his best chance to prove his value.
Hayes has the tools to be a solid NBA center—he’s a true 7-footer with elite athleticism and lob-finishing ability. However, he struggles with rebounding and defensive positioning. The Lakers have tried to mold him into a reliable backup with mixed results, but now they have no choice but to lean on him.
LeBron-at-center lineups could also be an option. While the Lakers must manage his workload at age 40, he doesn’t have to carry the offense anymore with Doncic and Austin Reaves in the fold. His defensive IQ makes up for his lack of size. JJ Redick has experimented with this look (342 possessions this season), and previous Lakers coaches have done so as well. The results? Strong offense, weak defense—something the Lakers may have to accept.
Despite these adjustments, the Lakers will likely add a center. Their challenge? They’re over the first luxury tax apron, meaning they can only sign buyout players who earned less than the $12.8 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Who’s Available?
Several names stand out:
Daniel Theis is the best free-agent center but lacks the lob threat Doncic thrives with.
Bismack Biyombo recently signed a 10-day contract with the Spurs but could join the Lakers afterward.
Mo Bamba, a former Laker recently waived by the Jazz, could be brought back. The Lakers have a habit of reacquiring former role players.
JaVale McGee is currently playing in Puerto Rico, but he might welcome another Lakers stint.
Beyond these obvious options, the buyout market is unpredictable. Veterans must negotiate with their current teams, offering to forgo part of their salary in exchange for free agency. Some teams, however, may prefer to keep these players.
That said, the Lakers are an attractive destination. A veteran betting on himself could earn major minutes alongside Doncic and James, potentially boosting his value for future contracts. Some centers around the league are likely weighing this opportunity.
Other Potential Buyout Targets
Larry Nance Jr. (ex-Laker, smart defender, but has injury issues)
Chris Boucher (Toronto)
Kelly Olynyk (unlikely buyout candidate due to contract status)
The Lakers will have their pick of available centers, though the pool may be shallow. To truly fix their frontcourt, they’ll need to wait until summer.
What About the Offseason?
Before discussing specific targets, let’s examine the Lakers’ situation. The league knows they were willing to trade Dalton Knecht and draft picks for a big man. This might lower Knecht’s trade value, but playing with Doncic and James could boost his stock. Additionally, the Lakers will have more trade assets available this summer. Their 2032 first-round pick becomes tradable, giving them added flexibility.
Financially, the Lakers have over $40 million in expiring contracts (Hachimura, Kleber, Vincent) in 2026, making them major players in trades. If needed, even Austin Reaves could be included in a deal.
LeBorn James also expressed willingness to take a pay cut last offseason to help the Lakers in free agency. If he does so again, they could explore sign-and-trade scenarios or use the mid-level exception to acquire a center. While they won’t have cap space, these mechanisms offer paths to improvement.
Possible Center Targets
Myles Turner (elite rim-protector and three-point shooter; could command $30M per year)
Clint Capela (ideal Doncic-friendly rim-runner but aging at 30)
Brook Lopez (36-year-old floor-spacing big; short-term option)
Walker Kessler/Jalen Duren (costly in trades but worth checking in on)
Dereck Lively II/Daniel Gafford (Dallas might shake things up if playoffs disappoint)
Nic Claxton (elite defender; potentially available)
Robert Williams III (injury-prone but talented)
Deandre Ayton (expensive but recently playing well; a low-risk, high-reward option)
The Lakers also need another perimeter defender and may want to keep assets available for a future star pursuit. However, they showed a willingness to pay a premium for the right center in the Williams trade. If a similar player becomes available, they’ll go after him. If not, they may prioritize another position and use cheaper options at center. Either way, this offseason is their chance to reshape their frontcourt for the Doncic era.
What About Mark Williams and the Hornets?
In 2009, the Thunder rejected a trade for Tyson Chandler due to a failed physical. That decision altered NBA history—Chandler later won Defensive Player of the Year and played a key role on a championship team. The Thunder, meanwhile, signed Kendrick Perkins, whose contract contributed to them losing James Harden.
This serves as a reminder: A failed physical doesn’t mean the end of Williams’ career. Many players overcome early health concerns and have long careers. But for now, this situation is damaging for both him and the Hornets.
Williams is eligible for a rookie extension this offseason, but his leverage has taken a hit. Convincing the Hornets to pay him market value is tough when the last team interested in him walked away due to medical concerns. He might accept a lower extension for financial security or gamble on proving himself next season.
Additionally, the Hornets lost a great trade package: an unprotected first-round pick, an unprotected swap, and a recent first-round steal. Now, they’re stuck with a potentially unhealthy center and no comparable trade offers.
The best path forward? Reconciliation. Williams and the Hornets need each other, at least for now. Whether he remains a long-term piece or just a short-term asset, they must make the relationship work.