Lakers trade Knecht, Reddish, and draft picks to Hornets for Williams.
The Los Angeles Lakers continued one of the most pivotal weeks in franchise history by acquiring center Mark Williams in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday night.
As part of the deal, L.A. is sending rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to Charlotte in exchange for Williams, sources said. The move addresses a critical need at center—one that Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka openly acknowledged heading into Thursday’s trade deadline.
Standing 7 feet tall and weighing 240 pounds, Williams fits the mold of the mobile big man and lob threat that new Lakers star Luka Doncic prefers to play alongside. According to sources, Doncic met with the Lakers’ front office on Monday and emphasized his desire for a rim-running center, believing such a player would provide vertical spacing and enhance his offensive reads.
Lakers' Aggressive Deadline Moves
Williams, 23, is expected to take over as L.A.'s starting center immediately and develop alongside the 25-year-old Doncic. This timeline alignment was a key factor in the Lakers' decision to pursue him, sources said.
The third-year big man also has ties to Lakers head coach JJ Redick, having played at Duke University, Redick’s alma mater. A source described their relationship as a mentor-mentee dynamic.
L.A. has been aggressive in reshaping its roster over the past four days, parting with two first-round picks and key rotation players—including Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and Knecht—to land franchise cornerstones in Doncic and Williams. With these acquisitions, the Lakers have managed to balance their long-term future with their immediate title aspirations, especially with 40-year-old LeBron James still performing at an elite level in his 22nd season.
A Lakers source told ESPN that the team's approach at the deadline was "aggressive."
Williams’ Injury Concerns and Lakers’ Confidence
One concern surrounding Williams has been his availability. He has appeared in just 84 of a possible 212 games (39.6%) over his first two and a half seasons due to injuries. However, sources told ESPN that the Lakers are confident in his medical status, noting that his recent back and foot issues never required surgery.
Lakers Eye Buyout Market
With this trade, L.A. still has one second-round pick available to move before the deadline. The two-for-one deal with Charlotte also opens up a roster spot, allowing the Lakers to pursue a player in the buyout market.
With Knecht’s departure, L.A. may prioritize adding either playmaking or 3-point shooting. Knecht, the 17th overall pick in June, impressed Redick with his shooting ability and had a strong start to the season—five of his six games with four or more made threes came in November. .......Read more
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