Mark Williams’ agent speaks out about failed Hornets-Lakers trade
In the days following center Mark Williams’s reneged trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, much has been made of his failed physical.
Williams’ agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, voiced that the Lakers shouldn’t have failed his client in his physical.
“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,” Schwartz said in the statement via ESPN. “Mark was ready and able to play for them and should have been given that opportunity.”
The Lakers reportedly found multiple issues with Williams’ physical that were unrelated to his known back issues, which have kept him off the floor over the last couple of seasons.
The Lakers acquired Williams to beef up their frontcourt after the Luka Doncic trade, which sent star big man Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.
General manager Rob Pelinka consulted with Doncic before the move to target a big man with athleticism who could be a factor around the rim, especially in pick-and-roll scenarios.
Williams was believed to fit Doncic’s preference mold, but additional health issues prevented him from passing the physical. The Lakers gave up a significant package that included rookie Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a 2031 first-round selection, and a 2030 pick swap.
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Although the Hornets inquired about possibly disputing the failed physical, the team never put in an official request to chart that course of action.
The Lakers will lean on Jaxson Hayes to take over the starting center position while Alex Len and Trey Jemison III will fill in minutes behind him.
