Mark Williams was supposed to join the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in 2025. The Charlotte Hornets and Lakers agreed to a deal that would send Williams to Los Angeles. It was a done deal, but it was voided after Williams failed his physical exam with the Lakers.
This left Williams and Dalton Knecht in limbo, as they were already prepared to join up with their supposed new teams. Unfortunately, that did not happen for Williams, who is now with the Phoenix Suns, and Knecht, who is still with the Lakers.
Williams still dislikes the Lakers for the failed trade
Any player would love to join the Lakers, especially when an opportunity to play with Luka Doncic and LeBron James is on the table. Williams would have thrived with the Lakers because Doncic and James are known for maximizing centers with their playmaking.
Williams is a fantastic center in the pick-and-roll, and he is also a superb rebounder. This season with the Suns, Williams is averaging 12.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He is even making a strong impact on defense with 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks a night. With his efficiency from the field, Williams is a fantastic option in the paint for Phoenix, as he is shooting 65.6%.
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He would have been a fantastic addition to the Lakers, but it did not work out because of his physical. It seems that he is doing well now with the Suns, but he will not let go of being rejected. He could have been a strong option for the Lakers, but it did not end up happening, so he has made sure to have a chip on his shoulder.
"I was excited. You know, Charlotte wanted to trade me, whatever. Like, I'm excited. We play them first game out the break, and then I got to go back to Charlotte... I'm just trying to show, like, the rest of the time, like. Honestly, like, f*** y'all. I mean, really, I was excited to go there," Williams said on The Young Man and the Three.
It is rare for NBA trades to fall through like that, but it happened to Williams, which will stick with him for the rest of his career. He will do his best to stay healthy and perform to the highest level because he wants to keep himself playing in the league.
It might seem petty that he is calling out the Lakers and making fun of them, but he is valid with his feelings about the situation. Considering he has not had a long-term injury since the trade fell through is some sort of proof that he could have helped the Lakers.
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