The Los Angeles Lakers have strengthened their roster by acquiring center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade deal, sources told ESPN on Wednesday night. The team sent rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and two draft picks to the Hornets in exchange for Williams.
Williams, 23, joins the Lakers after averaging 16 points on 59.7% shooting and 9.8 rebounds per game this season with the Hornets. He fits Luka Doncic’s preferred profile of a mobile big man who provides vertical spacing at the rim, allowing Doncic to make more effective offensive reads.
The trade is seen as a major coup for the Lakers, who were lacking a starting center ahead of Thursday’s deadline. Williams is viewed as an answer at starting center now and has the potential to progress alongside Doncic over time. The team also had previous ties to coach JJ Redick, who played with Williams at Duke University.
To complete the deal, the Lakers parted with two first-round picks and key rotation players Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and Knecht. However, the team is confident in Williams’ medicals after a recent back and foot injury, which never required surgery.
The trade also opens up a roster spot for the Lakers to pursue a player on the buyout market. With one second-round pick still available, they can explore options to upgrade their playmaking or 3-point shooting skills, particularly with Knecht’s departure.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43713224/sources-lakers-trade-knecht-reddish-picks-hornets-williams