When the Los Angeles Lakers swung the blockbuster trade to land superstar guard Luka Doncic last season, the front office knew they needed some reinforcements inside after sending away Anthony Davis in the deal. And it didn’t take long for them to do so as the Lakers agreed to a trade for then-Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams.
However, in a surprising move, the deal that would’ve brought Williams to the Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and draft picks, was rescinded after the big man failed his physical. Williams has had a lengthy injury history since entering the NBA and even though he was playing prior to the deal, the Lakers medical staff didn’t like what they saw in his physical.
This was something that bothered Williams and the big man, who has since been traded to the Phoenix Suns, recently opened up about what went down and the grudge he still holds against the Lakers on an episode of “The Young Man and the Three” podcast:
“And then they tell me [about the failed physical/rescinded trade]. I’m like, that can’t be, like, I just played the Bucks that night that I got the call I’m getting traded. I’m out here. They’re like, ‘Yeah, it’s done. Like, we’re not going back.’ I was like, y’all can’t undo the undo? Like, what you mean? They’re like, ‘No, it’s done.’ So I’m hot. Like, I was excited. I was, like, you know, it’s time. 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. So All-Star break, I’m just like, ‘What the f–k?’ “And then, first game out is L.A, of course, like, you can’t write it any other way… I’m just trying to show, like, the rest of the time, like. Honestly, like, f–k y’all. Like, I was I was just want. I mean, really, I was excited to go there. I thought I was, like, a piece that could really help them. Obviously, going into the playoffs, and then once they lost, obviously I tweeted little smiley face. Like, I was I was hating. I was hating. I was hating.”
Williams’ feelings about this situation are valid as it is hard to understand how someone who has been playing could fail a physical. And to have to return to a team after they agreed to trade you away is a difficult position, as Knecht also found out in returning to the Lakers.
Even Williams’ tweet after the Lakers were dominated in the paint in their playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves is understandable and at least he admits to being a hater. In the end, what’s done is done and both Williams and the Lakers have moved forward from what was an awkward situation for everyone involved.
Jaxson Hayes says Lakers must keep stepping up to make up for injuries
Unfortunately, the Lakers have been hounded by injuries so far this season. Many players have had to step up to make up for the absences and big man Jaxson Hayes says this team must continue to do so.
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