The Lakers’ season has been anything but calm. After the high-profile trade that brought Luka Dončić to Los Angeles, their most recent roster move—a deal that could have brought in young defensive force Mark Williams—has completely unraveled. The trade appeared to benefit both teams: the Lakers were poised to send Dalton Knecht and draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Williams, a talented shot-blocking center. On paper, it seemed logical. The Hornets, deep in another rebuild, would gain a versatile scoring wing in Knecht. The Lakers, still looking to strengthen their frontcourt after trading away Anthony Davis, viewed Williams as a perfect rim protector to pair with Dončić. However, Shams Charania reported that the Hornets had contacted the NBA to challenge the Lakers’ failed physical evaluation of Williams. “The Williams/Dalton Knecht trade was nixed Saturday, and now the Hornets weigh avenues to challenge,” Charania wrote. Further reports revealed that Williams was dealing with multiple health concerns unrelated to his previous back injury. The Lakers, unwilling to take the risk, canceled the trade—a decision that upset the Hornets.
The Charlotte Hornets have reached out to the NBA, seeking ways to dispute the Los Angeles Lakers’ failed physical assessment of Mark Williams, according to ESPN sources. The trade between Williams and Dalton Knecht was canceled on Saturday, and now the Hornets are considering their options for challenging it.
Charlotte is now fighting back, reportedly seeking ways to contest L.A.’s assessment of Williams’ health. Should the NBA get involved, it could establish a precedent for how medical evaluations affect trade decisions in the future.
For the Lakers, this presents a major issue. They still lack size and defensive strength in the paint, especially after trading Davis. Had Williams been healthy, he would have been an ideal presence in the paint to complement Dončić’s offensive game. Instead, the Lakers are left relying on Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood—not exactly the best frontcourt for a team eyeing a championship. The situation is equally complicated for Charlotte. Knecht, now returning to the team that nearly traded him, may face an awkward dynamic in the locker room. The 22-year-old rookie has performed well, averaging 9.4 points on 47% shooting, and remains an important asset. The bigger concern is what happens with Williams. If he indeed has long-term health issues, the Hornets may have to reconsider his role in their rebuilding plans.
The Lakers are committed to maximizing the Dončić era, and this failed trade highlights their aggressive approach to reshaping the roster midseason. Whether L.A. makes another move or the NBA intervenes to review the failed physical, one thing is clear: this saga is far from over.
