When it was announced that the Lakers’ trade with the Hornets had been canceled, with Los Angeles regaining their players and picks while Mark Davis returned to Charlotte, it sent shockwaves through the NBA.

Fans, analysts, and reporters alike were left questioning how LA could lose their second-largest acquisition from the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, especially when there was so much excitement about his potential fit alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James. It seemed likely that there was a serious issue with his medical evaluation, as otherwise, this situation would appear to be a major setback in the Lakers’ quest for another deep playoff run.

Apparently, the Hornets shared this sentiment, as they posted an explanation online after the deal fell through, subtly criticizing the Lakers for their keen interest in Williams, only to cancel the deal days later.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mark back to the Hornets organization. After the other team pursued Mark aggressively, we made the tough decision to trade him. We have always held immense respect for his talent, work ethic, and character. We are excited to see him return as a strong presence in the starting center role. His return boosts our team, and we look forward to the contributions he will make both on and off the court.”

It’s clear that the Hornets were not shy about addressing the situation publicly. The fact that they didn’t even mention the Lakers by name in their social media post speaks volumes.

On the surface, the Hornets’ decision to trade Williams seemed puzzling, as there was no prior indication that he was on the market before the trade was finalized. Although Charlotte agreed to the deal after the Lakers offered a substantial return, once the deal was scrapped, it seemed they were not too upset about getting Williams back. At worst, they could look to trade him again in the future or continue to develop him as a long-term partner for LaMelo Ball at center.