Mark Williams’ agent says Lakers shouldn’t have failed physical

Mark Williams’ agent says Lakers shouldn’t have failed physical

After acquiring superstar guard Luka Doncic ahead of the 2024-25 NBA Trade Deadline, Los Angeles Lakers attempted to make another swing and try to find their center of the future.

They acquired Charlotte Hornets big Mark Williams in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 first-round pick swap and a 2031 first-round pick. Williams is a risky player because of his injury history with his back, knee and ankles, but when healthy, he’s an incredibly athletic big man with plenty of potential.

The deal fell through 48 hours after the deadline because Williams reportedly failed his physical with the Lakers. Nearly two weeks after the deal fell through, Williams’ agent Jeff Schwartz released a statement Thursday regarding the failed physical, suggesting it should have never happened.

“The overwhelming sentiment, after conferring with multiple, nationally recognized doctors, is that the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed Mark Williams on his physical,” the statement read. “Mark was ready and able to play for them and should have been given that opportunity.”

pic.twitter.com/tkfvbPaNBu

— excel basketball (@excelbasketball) February 20, 2025

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

Obviously, nobody can confirm nor deny which “nationally recognized doctors” Williams’ agency referred to regarding his physical. An agent backing his client is also standard protocol, whether there was credence to the failed physical or not.

Ironically enough, in Williams’ first game back with his new team, he squared off against the Lakers. He finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and two assists on 3-of-7 shooting in 29 minutes.

Williams has barely played in 40 percent of his team’s available games through three years. The 23-year-old will be up for an extension this offseason and still be Charlotte’s big man of the future, but how he and his team negotiate because of the injury history will be interesting.

The Hornets also lose all their leverage by this failed physical, which can make it really difficult to move him in the future … unless he continues to stay healthy.

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