After the recent developments in the Mark Williams trade, everybody is left wondering what really went down.The Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers are engaging in a trade dance that seems to have been orchestrated by chaos itself.
The drama played out in typical NBA style: the Lakers traded Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and a future first-round draft pick to Charlotte for their rapidly developing big man, Mark Williams. A few days later, the agreement fell apart, allegedly due to problems with Williams’ medical examination. But hold on, weren’t the Lakers only hours ago stating that they had thoroughly assessed his health?
General Manager Rob Pelinka, along with the Lakers’ physician Kris Jones, confidently stated that Williams was “still growing into his body,” and added, “We thoroughly reviewed his health issues, we thoroughly examined his injuries, and we have no worries about them,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Here is the Hornets’ statement: “We are thrilled to have Mark return to our Hornets team. After the opposing team aggressively targeted Mark, we decided it was necessary to relocate him. We have consistently admired Mark’s abilities, dedication, and integrity. We are excited to welcome him back to our lineup as an energetic force in the starting center role. His comeback boosts our team, and we eagerly anticipate the influence he will have both on and off the court.
Although the reply is packed with uplifting buzz-words, the Hornets still come across as if someone is expressing regret to their partner for being disloyal.
Following Pelinka and the Lakers’ apparent confidence, we are left questioning: did they overlook something, or did they simply get nervous once the agreement was disclosed? What we understand is that this trade could have been cancelled, yet the enigma surrounding it is only starting. And who is laughing at this moment? Let’s just say it’s certainly not someone in Charlotte or L.A.