The Los Angeles Lakers have rescinded their trade deal with the Charlotte Hornets for 7-foot center Mark Williams due to concerns over his physical exam results, according to sources. The trade was agreed upon on Wednesday night but became official on Thursday after the Lakers’ win over the Golden State Warriors.
Williams has struggled with injuries throughout his first two and a half seasons with the Hornets, missing 127 games in total. Despite this, the Lakers were confident in his medicals at the time of the trade. However, sources say that multiple issues arose during his physical exam, although it was not due to his back problems.
The deal would have given the Lakers a vertical spacing big man to play alongside Luka Doncic but now faces an uncertain future. The team will be forced to waive one player to make room for another signing off the buyout market.
The trade’s collapse also means the Lakers will stick with their current center rotation, with Jaxson Hayes in the starting role for now. Christian Wood, who is recovering from knee surgery, has yet to play this season and does not have a formal return timeline.
In a statement, the Hornets expressed excitement about welcoming Williams back to the team, but it appears that the trade will not move forward.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43756073/lakers-trade-hornets-center-mark-williams-rescinded