The Hornets are seemingly not taking place with out a battle.
After the Lakers rescinded their commerce to accumulate heart Mark Williams from Charlotte on Saturday on account of a failed bodily, the Hornets are reportedly involved with the league on the matter, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Monday evening.
The Hornets wish to discover choices with the NBA on disputing the Lakers’ failed evaluation of the middle, who they needed to fill their Anthony Davis void after he was traded to the Mavericks in a three-team blockbuster commerce for Luka Doncic.
Within the deal, Charlotte would have acquired rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish whereas making a gift of Williams, who’s a third-year heart and a former first-round 2022 draft choose.
The Hornets additionally had been set to obtain the Lakers’ first-round choose in 2031 and a first-round choose swap in 2030.
“We’re excited to welcome Mark again to our Hornets group,” the Hornets wrote in an announcement on social media. “After the opposite workforce aggressively pursued Mark, we made the tough resolution to maneuver him. Now we have all the time held nice respect for Mark’s expertise, work ethic and character. We’re thrilled to see him rejoin our roster as a dynamic presence on the beginning heart place. His return strengthens our workforce, and we look ahead to the impression he’ll make on and off the court docket.”
The Lakers, No. 5 within the West, seemingly pumped the brakes after studying extra about Williams’ bodily well being and he’s a participant that does include a prolonged damage historical past.
The Duke alum has solely performed 84 of a attainable 212 NBA video games throughout his three seasons with the Hornets, who drafted him fifteenth general, on account of primarily again issues amongst different illnesses.
This season he’s practically averaging a double-double — 15.6 factors and 9.6 rebounds — whereas capturing 58 p.c from the sphere throughout 23 contests.
There have been no preliminary considerations over the deal as fellow Duke alum and Lakers coach JJ Redick was already acquainted with Williams, who went to the coach for recommendation just some years again.
“Simply really feel like he’s a extremely good match now, and he’s a extremely good match for the longer term,” Redick mentioned of Williams on Thursday evening.
With out the deal, the Lakers are left with out a huge man to accomplice up with Jaxson Hayes, who was prone to transfer to the bench upon Williams’ arrival in La La Land.
Nonetheless, the workforce has gained 9 of their final 10 video games and maintain a five-game profitable streak going into Monday evening’s matchup in opposition to the Jazz.