Hornets Exploring Options To Dispute Lakers’ Decision To Nix Williams Deal

The Hornets have been in contact with the NBA as they explore options to dispute the Lakers’ failed physical assessment of  ESPN’s Shams Charania

The Lakers the trade with Charlotte based on their medical assessment of Williams.

The Hornets agreed to part with Williams in exchange for rookie wing , forward , the Lakers’ unprotected 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round pick swap.

Although both teams announced the trade on Thursday, it remained conditional on Williams and Knecht reporting to their new teams and passing physicals. Since the trade deadline had passed, there was no avenue to amend the deal.

Los Angeles had looked at Williams as an ideal pick-and-roll partner for who reportedly urged the front office to find an upgrade at the center spot.

Meanwhile, the Hornets were in the awkward position of Williams, which they did in a statement, while losing all the assets and players in the agreed-upon trade. Knecht and Reddish were also put in awkward spot of returning to a team that had just dealt them away.

The Lakers’ decision to nix the deal could also damage the future trade value of Williams, which would be another motivation for Charlotte to dispute those findings. Williams has only appeared in 85 games during his first 2 1/2 seasons in the league due to a variety of ailments.