Some rival executives around the NBA expect the Hornets to reopen trade talks on center Mark Williams and explore the market for him again this summer, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (Substack link).
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Charlotte agreed to a trade last month that would have sent Williams to the Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 first-round pick swap. However, that deal was voided by the Lakers two days later due to concerns about Williams’ physical.
Despite those concerns on Los Angeles’ end, Williams had been playing consistent minutes as the Hornets’ starting center leading up to the trade deadline and has remained on the court since the deal was rescinded.
Since the All-Star break, the third-year big man has averaged 15.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 27.3 minutes per game across 12 outings. Those numbers are right in line with his season-long averages of 15.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.2 BPG in 35 games (25.8 MPG). He missed the start of the season due to a foot injury after sitting out most of last season with a back ailment.
We haven’t heard many specific details about the Lakers’ problems with Williams’ physical. It’s entirely possible the issue they flagged was a minor one that wouldn’t be a concern for another team’s doctors. We also don’t know if the Lakers’ interest in Williams has dissipated altogether as a result of what they learned from his physical, or if they might still be willing to acquire him if the cost isn’t quite so high.
It’s worth noting that the Lakers weren’t the only team to flag an issue during a physical last month — the Mavericks did the same thing with Caleb Martin after agreeing to a pre-deadline trade with the Sixers. Because Martin’s physical was completed ahead of the trade deadline, the Mavs and Sixers were able to amend the terms of their agreement, with Dallas deciding to move forward with the trade after Philadelphia agreed to include a second-round pick.
It’s possible the Lakers would have been willing to do something similar with the Hornets, but they didn’t have the opportunity, since Williams’ physical was completed after the deadline. At that point, Los Angeles’ only two options were to complete the trade based on the agreed-upon terms or to void it.
Assuming Williams remains injury-free and finishes the season strong, he should draw offseason interest from teams besides the Lakers, though any suitor would certainly want to thoroughly vet his health. Whether he remains in Charlotte or joins a new club, the 23-year-old will be eligible this offseason for a rookie scale extension.
If Charlotte is so adamant on trading Mark Williams, then I have to believe they are considering taking Khaman Maluach with their pick. Why else would they give up Mark Williams who is on a very serviceable rookie deal and still 2 years removed from a RFA max? He’s grown on both ends of the floor, I know the injury history has been there since his college days but if I’m Chicago and AKME, I would go after him since he fits their timeline of 2030. Would probably have to give up whatever lottery pick they posses this year (not a top 6) and then attach a Dalon Terry for them or Jalen Smith. Pairing up Williams and Buzelis would be a great start for a hopeless and hapless regime.
Hornets are a perennial lottery team. Don’t know how to do anything else.
Al, I mean eventually you’d think they will get it right? I mean look at your team best case example, 2000-2022 they were in shambles and finally look like they’re back to respectability and top half of their conference. Sometimes you just need the right coach and system along with a bit of luck though.
You would think. But Knicks never had the high picks . Hornets consistently get them. That was their problem. This regime imo has worked the draft well. Even low picks like Quickley, Grimes, McBride, Kolek, Hukporti.
Good point, Charlotte keeps messing up on their picks. I agree with you on that 100%.
raz427 , The Hornets may especially like Maluach, but they can’t control where they’ll be picking or whether he’s available. For example, if they were to draft #1, they certainly wouldn’t pick him. Or, if they were to draft #6, he might already be gone.
If Charlotte is this intent on trading a 23 year old (who also fits into their rebuild timeline), it’s because they don’t think he’s a fit and don’t want to give him a rookie extension. IMO, the issue is that Charlotte’s defense sucks, and Williams is a big part of the problem.
I’d like to see the Bulls improve, but Williams isn’t the tough, defensive-minded center the team needs. Don’t be fooled by his numbers. He was attractive to the Lakers as a lob threat for Luka. For the Bulls, he’d be a a “net negative”.
Oh I know Charlotte wouldn’t take him over Harper or Flagg. That would be reckless and self sabotaging their future. We have no ‘net positive’ on our team lmao. So he would fit the culture AKME has built upon.
Fair enough. Let me put it another way: the successful rebuilding teams like Houston, Orlando, and Detroit have all let go of non-winning players to shape their culture.
Williams has already been part of an unsuccessful rebuild at Charlotte. Charlotte’s not keeping him. He’s not being displaced by a younger or superior player. No other rebuilding team should want him.
I think the “WOW” potential with certain bigs will always be there, that’s why they get drafted so high and have unrealistic expectations. Based on all accounts from what I’ve read/seen Mark Williams has finally started to show up as a NBA player. Granted his first few years (along with this one) were injury riddled but when he’s on the court, there’s no denying his potential. He did had a 31 point game earlier this year as well. There’s a reason why guys like Mo Bamba got drafted in the top 10 because of their enticing potential and ability to do things that are not normal for men their size and age.
Raz , all good points.
But the question remains: why would a rebuilding Hornets team want to trade a 23 year old if they believe in him? There’s nobody on their current roster to replace him.
Aristotle, thats why I think they want the kid from Duke. I think they want him over Mark Williams at this point. Not sure if it’s wise but we shall see.
Here’s why CHA doesn’t want Williams:
link to x.com
No idea why LAL bailed on the guy, but, if CHA is actually prioritizing moving him vs doing so only if they get a disproportionate price, then many more teams than just the LAL should be interested. I’d count the NYK among them. As Silver continues to modify the game of basketball, Williams’ skill set will become more and more valuable.
Here’s why CHA is dumping Williams:
link to x.com
Me too, not sure why LA really did it. He seems ok. He’s Mitch with offense to me. Thats a solid big. Who is still very young. Rim protectors are coming back. You can’t teach size. So an athletic real big. Is still very valuable today. Especially if you need size. Look at IHart in OKC. Perfect addition for them.
I like Maluach a lot. He’s naturally big. He can help next year and has huge potential imo. Imo he goes top 5.
Al and DXC , You have to watch more of Mark Williams to know that he’s not what you’re describing. You’ll see why Charlotte wants to move off him. He’s nothing like Mitchell Robinson, which is the kind of C Charlotte wants.
Mitchell Robinson is a physical, top 10 defensive center. He may be weak offensively, but you know what you’re getting.
Mark Williams has really nice touch around the basket and some offensive upside, but has been a (very) under-average defensive center. And he’s gotten worse this year defensively. His big body may get some rebounds, but he is attacked mercilessly by opposing offenses, both near the basket and with PnR. He’s incredibly soft for a guy his size. And slow to process. Maybe he’ll develop, but Charlotte doesn’t think so.
Williams is a great offensive fit with Luka and LeBron. But LA knew Williams would not be a good defensive big in the foreseeable future.
Well, NO, I really don’t ever need to listen to a Podcast guy / 2k’er like the one in the link you sent me. “He’s not what [I’m] describing”? I only described the Williams in terms of his raw skill set, which isn’t really up for debate.
Bottom line is that Williams hasn’t played enough NBA minutes, with enough of a team structure, to be judged as any kind of definitive product. What we know for sure is that CHA thought VERY highly of him last season, noting the same when they passed on Clingan in 2024 draft to go off script. They also had been shopping Richards since then summer. I don’t think highly enough of Williams to have done either. So either there was quite the sea change in CHA after a few games regarding their talent evaluation of the guy (I can assure you there wasn’t) or there’s a physical issue (which is what everyone is assuming, but might not be the case).
You’re last statement suggests that Pelinka knew when he made the deal that Williams wouldn’t be a good defensive big. Can you provide a link on that?
> Well, NO, I really don’t ever need to listen to a Podcast guy / 2k’er like the one
> in the link you sent me
This is the local Hornets television broadcast on Fox.
Ogglesby, an ex-player, is paid by the Charlotte Hornets organization to do the broadcasts, along with Dell Curry and Eric Collins. As the article describes, he’s never been this critical of a player.
> You’re last statement suggests that Pelinka knew when he made the deal that
> Williams wouldn’t be a good defensive big. Can you provide a link on that?
If you don’t already know that Mark Williams is universally considered under-average defensively and better offensively, I suggest you use Google. But Williams’ relative strengths and weaknesses were openly discussed by Pelinka after the trade. If you listen to the event, you can get more context, but here is a direct quote from Pelinka:
“We feel that Mark is a young starting center in this NBA, and he provides that vertical threat. Think we as a staff have a job to do in developing him as a screener, decision-maker in the pocket and on the defensive end.”
link to lakersnation.com
I don’t doubt that Ogglesby’s analysis is heart felt (assuming it came after the trade was rescinded). It’s just not very relevant to what Williams’ value, which is almost entirely in his skill set, not his current performance. The Pelinka statement you set forth was just that Williams is a WIP on both ends, which it obvious. If that weren’t the case, no price would be high enough to move him.
DXC, the Oglesby take is from Feb 4. Williams was traded 3 days later.
> It’s just not very relevant to what Williams’ value, which is almost entirely in
> his skill set, not his current performance.
Not sure what you mean by “skill set”? Williams value is in his raw, God-given physical tools. Skills are acquired with effort and experience. Offensively, Williams has skills. Defensively, his skills have not progressed as hoped over his 3 seasons. Rebuilding teams don’t pass on 23 year olds they believe in.