The collapse of the Los Angeles Lakers trade for Mark Williams left many questions unanswered. While all indications pointed towards the Charlotte Hornets center as the reason for the deal’s failure, the officially cited reason was Williams’s failed physical. This explanation, however, appears to be met with skepticism by the player himself. The trade, which would have sent Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish to Charlotte, ultimately did not materialize.
Los Angeles Lakers Rescinded Trade Coming Under More Scrutiny As Mark Williams Shares
In a conversation with Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer, Mark Williams offered statements that appear to contradict the Lakers’ explanation regarding his failed physical.
“I didn’t think I had failed my physical. That didn’t even cross my mind,” Williams said. “The night I got traded, I played hella minutes. I didn’t think in any world that was possible. Since I’ve been back at the start of the year, I’ve played games with a lot of minutes. I feel like every injury I’ve had has been well-documented, and I’ve recovered and been 100% since. So, I don’t know what went into that decision. I think that’s up to them.”
Subscribe to LAFB Network’s YouTube Channel
Through 23 games in the 2024-25 season, Williams has averaged approximately 25 minutes of playing time, often contributing in crucial, high-pressure situations during close contests. He is currently achieving career highs in points, blocks, and assists. This makes the discrepancy between Williams’s and the Charlotte Hornets’ assessment of his health, and the team’s evaluation, rather curious. While Williams and the Hornets believe he is healthy enough to compete, the Lakers’ medical evaluation deemed him unfit to perform.
As the Charlotte Hornets prepare to face Los Angeles on Wednesday night, Mark Williams is listed as available to play. Despite the failed trade that would have sent him to Los Angeles, this situation may have created a sense of motivation for Williams. With the acknowledged need for additional depth at the center position, Williams has an opportunity to showcase his abilities and potentially dominate the paint against his would-be team.