The Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets will play the NBA’s first game since the All-Star Break, but there may be a bit of tension.
While it would have otherwise felt like a normal game as basketball resumes action after a few days off in the schedule, this match is anything but normal. That is because after the two teams agreed to a trade that would send Hornets big man Mark Williams to the Lakers, the deal was rescinded.
Los Angeles had sent promising rookie Dalton Knecht to Charlotte as part of the package and now, after concerning medicals were flagged from Williams’ physical, he is back with the team.
MARK WILLIAMS: The ugly failed Lakers-Hornets trade saga is about to get so messy
This is the first game that Williams will play for Charlotte since the failed transaction and it is against the team that nearly acquired him.
Here is what he said about what happened (via Charlotte Observer):
“I didn’t think I had failed my physical. That didn’t even cross my mind. The night I got traded I played hella minutes. I didn’t think in any world that was possible. Since I’ve been back since the start of the year, I’ve played games with a lot of minutes. I feel like every injury I’ve had has been well-documented and I’ve recovered and been 100% since.”
Beyond the scripted feeling that comes with it all, Williams indeed has an injury history that has kept him away from the court during his NBA career. But the No. 15 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft was also a perfect lob threat for the recently acquired Luka Doncic.
As an ideal alley-oop partner for Doncic and frontcourt replacement for former NBA champion and ten-time All-Star center Anthony Davis, it was a fascinating gamble for the Lakers.
But with the deal waved off after the trade deadline passed, Los Angeles was left without a starting-caliber big man on the roster beyond Jaxson Hayes. So the Lakers went to the buyout market, signing Alex Len.
The veteran was available after he was released by the Wizards following a trade with the Kings. However, he is an entirely different archetype of player from Williams and will not provide Doncic with the same verticality needed near the rim.
Beyond the clunky basketball fit with Len in the rotation for the Lakers, it is an undeniably weird situation for both Williams and Knecht. Despite that all, though, NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently confirmed the Hornets will not protest the decision by the Lakers.
So everything will go back to how it once was before the reported deal and these two teams will have to live with the ramifications — while also facing each other on the court on Wednesday night.
Kevin Durant getting choked up about the basketball changing his life is what sports are all about
Kevin Durant sent Serbia's locker room into an existential crisis during Team USA's Olympic win
Kevin Durant sent Serbia's locker room into an existential crisis during Team USA's Olympic win
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( How the Mark Williams-Dalton Knecht deal fell apart ahead of awkward Lakers-Hornets game )
Also on site :
- Israel launches major offensive to 'seize and control' areas of Gaza
- Werenoi dead: Rapper dies aged 31 just hours before gig after being rushed to hospital as tributes pour in
- Top 10 Summer 2025 Nail Trends, According to Celebrity Manicurists