Everyone made the same joke after the Lakers-Hornets trade fell apart
The Los Angeles Lakers were expecting to acquire a new starting center at the trade deadline, but instead, the team found itself dealing with awkward tension in the locker room.
On Wednesday, the Lakers reached an agreement with the Charlotte Hornets to acquire Mark Williams in exchange for a package centered around Dalton Knecht. Williams was intended to fill the gap left by Anthony Davis at center.
However, the deal was unexpectedly canceled on Saturday after the Lakers’ medical team flagged “multiple issues” during Williams’ physical examination.
With the trade deadline already over, the teams are no longer able to renegotiate the deal.
Fans on X couldn’t resist making jokes about Knecht giving Lakers GM Rob Pelinka a dirty look when he returns to Crypto.com Arena.
Knecht has had a solid rookie campaign for the Lakers, averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds on 46.5% shooting from the field over 48 games. But after the Luka Doncic trade altered the Lakers’ roster, the team now needs a defensive-minded center more than a scoring wing player.
Doncic will have to wait until the offseason for the Lakers to find their center of the future.
