Hornets ‘exploring options’ to dispute Mark Williams’ failed physical with Lakers

Hornets ‘exploring options’ to dispute Mark Williams’ failed physical with Lakers

With less than one day ahead of the 2024-25 NBA Trade Deadline, the Los Angeles Lakers completed a trade that landed them Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 first-round swap and a 2031 first-round pick.

However, three days later, the deal was nixed due to Williams failing his physical with the team. Now, roughly 48 hours later, the Hornets are exploring options to dispute said action with the league office, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania first reported Monday evening.

Williams, 23, has barely played in 40 percent of his team’s available games over his three-year career due to injuries to his ankle, back and knee. Even this year, he’s having the best year of his career, averaging 15.6 points and 9.6 rebounds on 58.6 percent shooting–but he’s played in roughly half (23) of the Hornets’ 48 games.

Knecht nor the Hornets’ 7-foot-2 big man was available in their games Tuesday. Both were welcomed back into awkward situations, which will be interesting to monitor for the rest of the season.

It could also be difficult to move Williams in the future because of the failed physical and aforementioned injury concerns. When he’s on the court, he’s shown to be one of the best big men in the league–despite having some concerns defensively–but it’s a matter of if he’s actually on the court. Knecht hasn’t had that issue, but he has been inconsistent and could have an uneven role in the rotation with Luka Doncic now in the fold.

Isn’t it also weird that the Hornets are trying to dispute this after releasing an awkward welcome-back statement moments after the news was released that the deal was rescinded?

Plus, what is the long-term outcome that Charlotte is attempting to accomplish here? Are they trying to rehabilitate some of Williams’ trade value by saying what the Lakers did wasn’t true? If that’s the case, where’s the proof?

A lot of questions raised with little answers! We’ll see how this plays out, but what a weird last week for both parties.

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