The Los Angeles Lakers will resume their 2024-25 regular-season schedule when they return from the NBA All-Star Break against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.
Normally, an inter-conference tilt with the Hornets wouldn't be on Lakers fans' radars but that isn't the case this time around. The stakes of Wednesday's game are even higher after Los Angeles' pre-trade deadline deal to acquire Mark Williams from Charlotte was rescinded after the 23-year-old center failed his physical exam.
Nearly two weeks after the deal fell through, Williams has finally commented on the rollercoaster experience.
Lakers News: Hornets' Mark Williams Comments on Failed Trade
With just hours to go before the tip-off of Wednesday's Lakers vs. Hornets showdown, Williams finally shared his thoughts on the "crazy" experience stemming from the canceled trade.
"I mean, it's crazy. Your mind has to shift from you got traded, you've got to go to L.A. and then you've got to shift back from you're not going to L.A.," Williams told The Charlotte Observer's Roderick Boone. "It's a lot on your mind and you've got to take what life gives and make the most of every opportunity you've got."
Spoke with Mark Williams about the rescinded trade, got his thoughts on the Lakers failing his physical, returning to the #Hornets and more:https://t.co/ZAWRu1aUCJ
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) February 19, 2025
The Lakers' excitement to acquire Williams quickly disappeared once he failed the organization's medical examination. The former Duke product's brief NBA run has been marred by injuries that have limited him to just 85 appearances across the last three seasons.
But even though Los Angeles saw enough red flags to call the deal off, the 7-foot rim protector isn't doesn't believe his health is an issue.
"I didn't think I failed my physical. That didn't even cross my mind," Williams said. "The night I got traded I played hella minutes... I feel like every injury I've had has been well-documented and I've recovered and been 100% since."
"I don't know what went into that decision (to call the trade off). I think it's up to (the Lakers)."
Williams' last appearance with the Hornets took place during a 112-102 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 5. Although the former 2022 first-rounder managed to log just over 25 minutes on that night, the appearance marked the second-shortest playing time in his last 14 appearances.
It's going to be interesting to see how Williams will perform against the Lakers. The Hornets big man is one of the NBA's brightest frontcourt presences as he averages 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 58.6% from the field in 23 appearances this season.
Unfortunately, for Williams and the Hornets, the chances of any "perceived" revenge on Wednesday are slim to none. The Lakers are currently the overwhelming 12.5-point favorites over the Hornets on FanDuel Sportsbook, and the former's -650 moneyline odds carry an implied win probability of 86.7%.
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