The Los Angeles Lakers had one of the most memorable trade deadlines in recent years. First, they pulled off one of the most shocking trades of all time when they acquired Luka Doncic. Then the Lakers followed that up by trading for Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets.
However, after the deadline passed, the Williams trade was rescinded because the talented big man reportedly failed his physical.
Even though Williams had already returned to Charlotte and played a game against the Lakers, the shockwaves of the voided trade are still being felt weeks later.
Statement from Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management: "The overwhelming sentiment, after conferring with multiple, nationally recognized doctors, is that the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed Mark Williams on his physical."
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2025
Lakers News: Mark Williams Trade Saga Takes Another Wild Turn
Mark Williams' agent Jeff Schwartz told the media on Thursday that his client shouldn't have failed his physical in Los Angeles. Basing his sentiment on "nationally recognized doctors", Schwartz said that Williams was healthy and ready to play for the Lakers, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
While this may initially be dismissed as PR from Williams and Charlotte's side, there may be some truth to the sentiment. The 23-year-old was playing before the trade deadline and just played 29 minutes against the Lakers in their first game after the deadline. There is no denying that Williams is at least healthy enough to play and contribute right now.
This doesn't mean the Lakers medical staff didn't see something concerning in his physical. Williams has had serious injury concerns in his three-year career, after all. He missed all but 19 games last season and only played in less than half of Charlotte's games this season.
Considering how much the Lakers were giving up in this trade (an unprotected first-rounder, a pick swap, and Dalton Knecht), it is completely understandable that they didn't want to move on with the deal without feeling 100% about Williams and his health. Whether the complaints from Williams and the Hornets will amount to anything with the league office remains to be seen.