The Los Angeles Lakers are still searching for their big man of the future, and one of their division rivals just stole away one of the options that we know Rob Pelinka and company had interest in.
As Lakers fans all remember, Los Angeles swung a trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams at the 2025 trade deadline. That partnership ended before it ever had a chance to get going, though, as a failed physical rerouted Williams back to Charlotte.
Now, Williams is heading back to the Pacific Division but will be doing so as a member of one of the Lakers' rivals rather than the Purple and Gold.
Failed Lakers Acquisition Mark Williams Traded to Suns on Draft Night
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have acquired Williams from the Hornets in exchange for the No. 29 overall pick in 2025 and a 2029 first-round pick. Much like the Lakers, Phoenix entered the night in desperate need of help on the interior, and they addressed that, in part, with this move.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading center Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 29 pick tonight and a 2029 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/a6eDDn5aE6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025
The Suns didn't stop there, however, with the No. 10 pick they acquired in the Kevin Durant trade, they selected former Duke standout Khaman Maluach. What was a weakness for the Lakers' division rival is now an area where they have two young pieces to build with moving forward.
This makes finding an answer at the center position that much more important for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers. The Suns likely face a bit of a rebuild depending on how the rest of the offseason goes, but addressing the 5 spot in this manner was a meaningful move by Phoenix's front office.
With one pick in the second round of this year's draft, it was always going to be hard for Los Angeles to address this need this week. With Phoenix making this move, coupled with their selection of Maluach, it only makes finding that answer in the middle more of a crucial need this summer.