Lakers Cancel Trade for Center Due to Multiple ‘Concerns’
The Los Angeles Lakers made a move to acquire Mark Williams in an effort to fill the void left by Anthony Davis. However, the Lakers have reversed the trade with the Charlotte Hornets that would have brought the center to Los Angeles, the team confirmed on Saturday, February 8, based on multiple reports.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the decision was made after Williams’ physical with the Lakers revealed multiple issues, leading to the team failing him on the exam. Charania clarified that this did not relate to the back injury that kept Williams out of 63 games last season.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne also reported that after a “thorough” evaluation, the Lakers were not confident in Williams’ health. “Teams usually avoid canceling trades, especially significant ones like the Lakers-Hornets deal for Mark Williams and Dalton Knecht. LA gave up quite a bit to acquire Williams and needed to be sure he’d be healthy enough to be their starting center for the next 5-10 years. After a detailed evaluation of his health, they were not,” Shelburne wrote on X.
The Lakers had traded away rookie shooter Knecht, Cam Reddish, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to acquire what they believed would be their center of the future.
The Athletic’s Fred Katz noted that when a player fails a physical before the trade deadline, the teams can revise the trade (like in Caleb Martin’s case). However, as the trade deadline had passed, that option was no longer available. “After the deadline, teams must either allow the trade to proceed as is or cancel it altogether,” Katz explained on X.
Lakers’ Center Situation is Critical
The Lakers now face a larger problem, with only Jaxson Hayes as a legitimate center after trading Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. Hayes’ backups, Christian Koloko and Trey Jemison III, are on two-way contracts, making them ineligible for the playoffs.
Christian Wood, the other center under a standard contract, remains out recovering from knee surgery with no timetable for his return. With Knecht and Reddish returning, the Lakers’ roster is full, leaving them unable to sign a center from the buyout or free-agent market.
Doncic’s Lob Partner Can Wait
According to Shelburne, Luka Doncic played a key role in the Lakers’ pursuit of Williams. “The Lakers had been looking for a big man, but after acquiring Luka, they knew exactly what they needed,” Shelburne reported via X. “Luka told Lakers GM Rob Pelinka that he thrives with a vertical lob threat. When Charlotte expressed interest in Knecht and mentioned possibly discussing Williams, the deal came together.”
The Lakers had initially considered veteran, slower big men, but after Luka shared how much playing with Lively and Gafford had helped his game in Dallas, the Lakers felt Williams was the right fit for both this season and the future.
The Lakers will now have to wait until the offseason to find a suitable lob partner for Doncic.