Lakers’ Trade Fallout – Mark Williams Left in Limbo After Trade

The NBA All-Star break just wrapped up in San Francisco, but the biggest story leading into the weekend was a massive trade that sent shockwaves through the league. In one of the most significant deals in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić.

With a major hole in their frontcourt, the Lakers scrambled to add an athletic big man. They attempted to acquire Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, but the trade fell apart after Los Angeles discovered multiple concerns during his physical.

The rescinded trade left Williams in an awkward situation. The Duke product has yet to return to the Hornets, as the organization is giving him time to mentally and emotionally adjust after the ordeal.

Mark Williams Remains Absent from Hornets

The original trade would have sent Williams to Los Angeles in exchange for rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2031 first-round pick.

Excited about the move, Williams even posted purple and gold heart emojis on X (formerly Twitter) after the news broke. However, his excitement quickly turned into disappointment when the deal was voided. Instead of joining a Lakers squad featuring Luka Dončić and LeBron James, Williams is now forced to return to one of the league’s worst teams.

It’s a brutal turn of events. Meanwhile, the Lakers, desperate for frontcourt depth, pivoted by signing Alex Len. That leaves Len and Jaxson Hayes as their primary options down low—far from an ideal situation.

With the trade deadline already passed, both teams were unable to renegotiate a deal. The Hornets have reportedly reached out to the NBA to explore their options following the Lakers’ decision to rescind the trade.

While Los Angeles has moved on, the situation has had a lasting impact on Williams. To make matters worse, the Lakers and Hornets face off on Wednesday—the first game back from the All-Star break—adding another layer of awkwardness to an already messy situation.