In a shocking change of events, the Los Angeles Lakers have cancelled their trade deadline agreement for the big man Mark Williams on Saturday night.
The Los Angeles Lakers decided to acquire third-year centre Williams in exchange for rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish. After Anthony Davis and Max Christie were traded to Dallas for Luka Doncic, Los Angeles needed a big man to take his place.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Mark Williams’ physical “showed multiple issues” and the Los Angeles Lakers failed him on the exam, which is why the trade was avoided.
“Mark Williams’ physical with the Lakers showed multiple issues and the team failed him on the exam, sources tell ESPN. The physical was not failed due to his back, however.” Charania wrote on X.
The deal was supposed to give L.A. a vertical spacing big man to play alongside , while also opening a roster spot for the Lakers to pursue another player on the buyout market.
Mark Williams’ physical with the Lakers showed multiple issues and the team failed him on the exam, sources tell ESPN. The physical was not failed due to his back, however. https://t.co/lY4XrSIlHf
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2025
Mark Williams Injury Woes Continues
Since the Charlotte Hornets selected the 23-year-old with the 15th overall choice in the 2022 NBA draft, he has struggled with health difficulties.
Williams only played in 43 games as a rookie because of a thumb ailment that ultimately needed surgery and an ankle sprain. A back issue also kept him from playing more than 19 games in the 2023–24 season. Williams has participated in 23 games so far in the 2024–25 season, missing time due to back and foot problems.
Los Angeles Lakers had a good trade deadline even though the Mark Williams trade fell off. The Lakers acquired Luka Doncic which is one of the most stunning trades in NBA history.
