Big twist in ugly trade saga as Lakers set to move on key target in ‘next 24 to 48 hours’
The Hornets are seemingly not going down without a fight.
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After the Lakers rescinded their trade to acquire center Mark Williams from Charlotte due to a failed physical, the Hornets are in contact with the league on the matter, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.
The Hornets want to explore options with the NBA on disputing the Lakers’ failed assessment of the center, who they wanted to fill their Anthony Davis void after he was traded to the Mavericks in a three-team blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic.
In the deal, Charlotte would have acquired rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish while giving away Williams, who is a third-year center and a former first-round 2022 draft pick.
The Hornets also were set to receive the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2031 and a first-round pick swap in 2030.
“We are excited to welcome Mark back to our Hornets organization,” the Hornets wrote in a statement on social media.
“After the other team aggressively pursued Mark, we made the difficult decision to move him. We have always held great respect for Mark’s talent, work ethic and character. We are thrilled to see him rejoin our roster as a dynamic presence at the starting center position. His return strengthens our team, and we look forward to the impact he will make on and off the court.”
The Lakers, No. 5 in the West, seemingly pumped the brakes after learning more about Williams’ physical health and he is a player that does come with a lengthy injury history.
The Duke alum has only played 84 of a possible 212 NBA games across his three seasons with the Hornets, who drafted him 15th overall, due to mainly back problems among other ailments.
This season he is nearly averaging a double-double — 15.6 points and 9.6 rebounds — while shooting 58 percent from the field across 23 contests.
There were no initial concerns over the deal as fellow Duke alum and Lakers coach JJ Redick was already familiar with Williams, who went to the coach for advice just a few years back.
“Just feel like he’s a really good fit now, and he’s a really good fit for the future,” Redick said of Williams.
Without the deal, the Lakers were left without a big man to partner up with Jaxson Hayes, who was likely to move to the bench upon Williams’ arrival in La La Land.
But the Lakers have already been busy finding a replacement, reportedly signing free agent Alex Len.
The Lakers has won nine of their last 10 games and hold a five-game winning streak going into Tuesday’s matchup against the Jazz.
