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as the Hornets’ starting center leading up to the trade deadline and has remained on the court since the deal was rescinded.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.
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.