Lakers Acquire Mark Williams from Charlotte Hornets in Trade
Rob Pelinka’s Patience Pays Off
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ general manager and frequent target of the team’s fan base for inaction on the trade market, sat in front of cameras and told everyone there was no way to wave a “magic wand” and make the right center appear. For months the Lakers’ front office signaled there wasn’t a center available who fit their price range and roster needs, needs that got only more obvious once Pelinka dealt Anthony Davis and Max Christie for Luka Doncic.
A Center Appears
But Wednesday night with the NBA’s trade deadline a little more than a half a day away, a center did appear — and there was hardly any magic involved. The Lakers acquired 23-year-old 7-footer Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, emptying what little was left in their asset arsenal to acquire a talented player with a history of injuries.
The Cost of Acquiring Williams
To get Williams, a former first-round pick, the Lakers sent rookie Dalton Knecht, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and their 2031 unprotected first-round pick to the Hornets. The Lakers also included forward Cam Reddish to create a roster spot they could fill on the buyout market. The Lakers traded Dalton Knecht, above, and Cam Reddish to Charlotte, along with two draft picks.
A History of Injuries
According to people familiar with the deal not authorized to speak publicly, the Lakers made the move after meeting with Doncic and speaking with him about the kind of center he prefers playing with: an athletic screener and lob threat. Then the Lakers got to work on Williams’ medical history, because he’s been limited to 84 games since he was the 15th pick in the 2022 draft. Williams missed significant time with foot, ankle, and back injuries, the latter keeping him out for most of last season. According to people familiar with the transaction, the Lakers are satisfied the back problems no longer are an issue and the other injuries have been more bad luck than anything else.
A Center Who Can Score
Williams has blossomed on the offensive end since moving into the starting lineup on December 13, averaging 17.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 59.7% from the field and 77.4% from the free-throw line. Last Saturday against Denver and Nikola Jokic, Williams scored 20 points and had 15 rebounds, including six offensive.
A New-Look Roster
After dealing Davis, the Lakers now have Williams, Jaxson Hayes, and small-ball lineups with Jarred Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith to navigate a Western Conference that includes players like Jokic, Alperen Sengun, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Conclusion
The Lakers’ front office has used their available assets to acquire two talented players, Doncic and Williams, giving the team a credible shot at title contention. While the team still has their work cut out for them, the addition of Williams provides a boost to their roster and could be the missing piece they need to make a deep playoff run.
FAQs
* What did the Lakers give up to acquire Mark Williams?
* The Lakers sent rookie Dalton Knecht, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and their 2031 unprotected first-round pick to the Hornets.
* What is Mark Williams’ medical history?
* Williams has been limited to 84 games since being drafted 15th overall in 2022 due to foot, ankle, and back injuries. The Lakers are satisfied that the back problems are no longer an issue, and the other injuries were more bad luck than anything else.
* What does Luka Doncic think about Mark Williams?
* According to people familiar with the deal, Doncic prefers playing with an athletic screener and lob threat, which Williams provides.
