The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired center mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade in rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Red Dish and draft considerations.
The Hornets also scored a first-round pick for the Lakers in 2031 and won a first-round pick swap in 2030 in exchange for Williams, one of the NBA’s most interesting young centers.
Just: The Los Angeles Lakers are trading Dalton Knecht, Cam Red Dish, 2031 unprotected first round pick, and 2030 pix swaps to the Charlotte Hornets of Center Mark Williams. pic.twitter.com/qguwetsssgd
– Shamscharania (@shamscharania) February 6, 2025
Williams added another major addition to the Lakers’ thorough roster overhaul highlighted last Saturday when he bought Luka Donsic from the Dallas Mavericks in Anthony Davis’s blockbuster trade.
Los Angeles has dramatically revamped its nuclear weapons since Christmas, bringing together a roster that could potentially be a championship contender against Don Sic and 40-year-old LeBron James this season.
Williams meets the Lakers’ obvious needs. The Lakers temporarily left Jackson Hayes as the only veteran center following Davis’ departure and Christian Wood’s absence from long-term injury.
The 7-foot-2 Williams spent three mostly injured seasons with the Hornets.
When he is healthy, he shows his potential.
Duke products averaged 16 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 22 games this season, and are excellent at pick-and-roll situations when they had the opportunity to play alongside Lamelo Ball.
Known by Lakers’ manager JJ Redick as a fellow Duke product, Williams should suit Don Sic well as a target for Rob and his playmaking skills on pick and roll. He also has to be a key defensive player for the Lakers. The Lakers have built their defenses largely around Davis’ Peerless Rim protection.
Williams scored seven double doubles in his last 11 games. This includes 31 points and 13 rebounds performances against the jazz. Williams lost to Memphis last month, scoring 38 points, but his game is plagued by contradictions.
For example, against Milwaukee on Wednesday night, he struggled with just six points and five rebounds in 25 minutes while facing Brook Lopez.
Williams appears to be happy with the trade. He posted his hearts of gold and purple on social media late Wednesday night.
Williams is the second center the Hornets have dealt with this season. They sent their second pick with 7-foot Nick Richards in 2025 to Phoenix for guard Josh O’Coggy and three future two-round draft picks last month.
Charlotte is clearly being built in the long run under new owners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, collecting assets.
Hornets owns its first round pick in the next seven years, with the top 14 protected from Miami in 2027 (not protected in 2028) being the top 2 from Dallas in 2027 Swap the first round with the Lakers right in 2030 and swap the unsecured first round pick for the Lakers in 2031.
Knecht was the Lakers’ first round pick last summer, with the external shooting specialist averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a rookie. He started 12 games and even performed 37 points while recording a record nine three-pointers in November, but played less in the New Year.
Reddish averages 3.3 points per game in his second season with the Lakers. He started 26 games in Los Angeles under manager Durbin Hamm last season, but plays much less under Reddick.
Donsic hasn’t played since Christmas for the nervous left calf. He is scheduled to make his Lakers debut against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, but Reddick said the Lakers wouldn’t make that decision until Saturday morning.
The Lakers currently have seven of their 13 players traded on the roster during the opening night. They also opened the roster spot on this deal with Charlotte, allowing them to add another depth piece.
The Hornets will visit the Lakers on February 19th.
