The Los Angeles Lakers‘ acquisition of Luka Dončić at the trade deadline sparked a flurry of roster moves, including a significant effort to acquire center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Williams was specifically targeted by the Lakers due to Dončić’s personal endorsement. Sources indicate that Dončić ‘handpicked’ Williams, recognizing his potential as an ideal partner in the frontcourt.
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Prior to finalizing the trade, the Lakers conducted a thorough evaluation of Williams, considering his injury history and assessing whether his potential justified the significant trade package. This evaluation included a comprehensive medical examination to assess any potential risks associated with his past injuries.
Despite these concerns, the head of basketball operations Rob Pelinka ultimately decided to proceed with the trade, adopting an “all-in” approach to the deadline. This decision involved a substantial trade package, including Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap.
Luka Doncic Hand-Picked Mark Williams, Los Angeles Lakers Fumble Attempting To Facilitate His Request
According to ESPN sources, the Los Angeles Lakers viewed the acquisition of Williams as a critical move to address a significant need within their roster. With a lack of a starting-caliber center, the team recognized the importance of adding a player with Williams’s size, athleticism, and defensive potential.
While the trade package included promising young players like Dalton Knecht, the Lakers viewed Knecht as a valuable asset but ultimately deemed his inclusion necessary to facilitate the deal. Furthermore, the team saw it as a way to build ‘goodwill’ with Dončić.
After making the deal with Charlotte, Pelinka expressed confidence when he talked about the deal on Thursday that Williams’ health wouldn’t be an issue going forward: “We fully vetted [Williams’] health stuff. He’s had no surgeries. So these are just parts of, he’s still growing into his body. We vetted the injuries he’s had, and we’re not concerned about those.”
Despite initial enthusiasm, the Lakers ultimately decided to withdraw from the trade. Following a thorough medical examination, the team identified additional concerns regarding Williams’ health, leading them to reassess the trade’s viability.
While the decision to withdraw from the trade may have disappointed some within the organization, sources within the Lakers organization expressed relief that the deal did not proceed. One source described the trade package as “a lot” to give up for Williams, suggesting that the team may have dodged a potential long-term health risk.
The failed trade, however, has created a delicate situation for the Lakers. According to McMenamin, the team must now work to repair their relationship with Dalton Knecht and the voiding of the trade meant that the Lakers failed in their first attempt to satisfy Doncic. Furthermore, the abrupt nature of the trade’s collapse has created a perception of “fumbled execution” within the organization, as the source put it, the team “kind of dodged a bullet.”