Rob Pelinka, the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, who has often faced criticism from the team’s fanbase for not making moves in the trade market, addressed the situation in front of cameras. He explained that there was no “magic wand” to make the ideal center appear. For months, the Lakers’ front office had communicated that no center met their budget and roster requirements, which became even more apparent after Pelinka traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie for Luka Doncic.

On Tuesday, sitting next to Doncic, Pelinka promised to solve the center issue while asking fans for patience.

However, by Wednesday evening, just hours before the NBA trade deadline, a center was indeed acquired—and it wasn’t the result of any magical solution. The Lakers secured 23-year-old, 7-foot Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets by using up most of their remaining assets to bring in a player with a history of injuries. To obtain Williams, a former first-round pick, the Lakers traded rookie Dalton Knecht, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and their 2031 unprotected first-round pick to the Hornets. They also sent forward Cam Reddish to make room for a potential buyout market acquisition.