With Luka Doncic and LeBron James as centerpieces, the Los Angeles Lakers expect to win a title this season. Anything short of that would be considered a failure.
In an effort to bolster their roster around Doncic, the Lakers added Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart this summer. However, they were not the first additions.
Days after Doncic arrived in Los Angeles, the Lakers sent Dalton Knecht and a first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams. He would fail a physical, and the deal would be reversed, although he would later be dealt to the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns recently added Nick Richards and Khaman Maluach to hold down the frontcourt, making Williams expendable.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 19, 2025: Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) reacts after Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) scores to give the Hornets the lead late in the game at Crypto.com Arena on February 19, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers Could Re-Add Mark Williams
In 44 games with the Hornets last season, Williams averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. He shot 60.4% from the floor, and was better on both ends of the floor than Ayton.
After the Lakers backed out of the trade, Williams posted 14.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in his final 21 games. He is expected to be the Suns’ third-best player this season, and the Lakers could regret their choice.
“I think he’s the key to their season,” prefaced The Athletic’s Doug Haller on October 8th. “You bring in a center who, when he’s healthy, averaged a double-double. When he’s on the court, he’s been okay. He’s been pretty good.”
Of course, Williams’ health and long-term availability should give any team pause. If he can shake the injury bug, he could be the best big man on either the Suns or Lakers.
“If he can play 60 or 65 games, that helps them. He can be their third-best player,” Haller added.
The Suns aren’t expected to win many games this season, and if Maluach continues to break out, the Suns could suddenly make Williams expendable.
If they do, the Lakers should rectify their mistake.
Mock Trade Sends Mark Williams Back to Los Angeles Lakers
There is a very real world where Ayton doesn’t manage to fit with the Lakers and their rotations. Williams plays a very similar game to Daniel Gafford, who found tremendous success alongside Doncic, so adding him should be an easy choice for the Lakers.
An easy choice they’ve already made once.
The Lakers could send either Ayton or Knecht to the Suns for Williams, and would almost certainly have to include their 2031 first-round pick.
If Williams spent the summer rehabbing the injury that negated last season’s trade, the Lakers could get a rare second chance to make the perfect trade to maximize Doncic.
Knecht’s value is at an all-time low and the Suns might not be eager to reunite with Ayton. However, Phoenix is finally building organically around Devin Booker, who Ayton has found success, and the team desperately needs draft capital.
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