LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers are buying heart Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in a commerce for rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and draft concerns, an individual with information of the deal tells The Related Press.
The individual spoke on situation of anonymity Wednesday evening as a result of the most recent commerce by the busy Lakers hasn’t been finalized.
The Hornets are additionally getting the Lakers’ first-round decide in 2031 and a first-round decide swap in 2030 in trade for Williams, one of many NBA’s most intriguing younger facilities.
Williams is one other main addition within the Lakers’ thorough roster overhaul, which has been highlighted by their acquisition of Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks final Saturday in a blockbuster commerce for Anthony Davis.
Los Angeles has dramatically revamped its nucleus since Christmas, assembling a roster that may very well be a championship contender this season with Doncic and 40-year-old LeBron James.
Williams fills an apparent want for the Lakers, who had been briefly left with Jaxson Hayes as their solely veteran heart following Davis’ departure and Christian Wooden’s long-term damage absence.
The 7-foot-2 Williams has spent three largely injury-plagued seasons with the Hornets, managing to play in simply 84 video games largely resulting from again issues.
When wholesome, he’s proven potential.
The Duke product has averaged 16 factors, 9.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per recreation this season in 22 video games and has excelled in pick-and-roll conditions when he’s had an opportunity to play alongside LaMelo Ball.
Williams, who is aware of Lakers coach JJ Redick as a fellow Duke product, ought to match effectively with Doncic as a goal for his playmaking abilities in lobs and pick-and-rolls. He’ll additionally must be a key defensive participant for the Lakers, whose protection was constructed closely round Davis’ peerless rim safety.
Williams has had seven double-doubles in his final 11 video games, together with a 31-point, 13-rebound efficiency in opposition to the Jazz. Williams scored 38 factors in a loss to Memphis final month, however his recreation has been suffering from inconsistency.
Towards Milwaukee on Wednesday evening, as an illustration, he struggled with simply six factors and 5 rebounds in 25 minutes whereas going through Brook Lopez.
Williams seems to be proud of the commerce: He posted gold and purple hearts on social media late Wednesday evening.
Williams is the second heart the Hornets have dealt this season. They despatched 7-foot Nick Richards and a second-round decide in 2025 to Phoenix for guard Josh Okogie and three future second-round draft picks final month.
Charlotte is clearly constructing for the long run underneath new homeowners Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall whereas accumulating belongings.
The Hornets now personal their first-round decide within the subsequent seven years, in addition to a top-14 protected first-round decide in 2027 from Miami (unprotected in 2028), a top-two protected decide from Dallas in 2027, the proper to swap first rounders with the Lakers in 2030 and the Lakers’ unprotected first spherical decide in 2031.
Knecht was the Lakers’ first-round decide final summer time, and the surface capturing specialist has averaged 9.4 factors and three.1 rebounds per recreation as a rookie. He began 12 video games and even had a 37-point efficiency whereas hitting a record-tying 9 3-pointers in November, however he has obtained much less enjoying time within the new yr.
Reddish is averaging 3.3 factors per recreation in his second season with the Lakers. He began 26 video games for Los Angeles final season underneath coach Darvin Ham, however has performed a lot much less underneath Redick.
Doncic hasn’t performed since Christmas resulting from a strained left calf. He’s anticipated to make his Lakers debut on Saturday in opposition to the Indiana Pacers, though Redick stated the Lakers will not make that call till Saturday morning.
The Lakers have now traded seven of the 13 gamers on their roster on opening evening. In addition they opened a roster spot on this take care of Charlotte, permitting them so as to add one other depth piece.
The Hornets go to the Lakers on Feb. 19.
___
Reed reported from Charlotte.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Copyright 2025 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.