Pressing question remains as Hornets hit All-Star break: What will happen with Mark Williams?
The scoreboard clock on the Jumbotron above the Kia Center, home of the Orlando Magic, likely couldn’t count down fast enough Wednesday night.
Seconds probably felt more like agonizing minutes, knowing what awaited the Charlotte Hornets once the final horn sounded. A much-needed All-Star break is finally upon them following a 102-86 loss, coming at a point mirroring a late-period school lunch session: not exactly at the season’s midpoint and much closer to last bell.
After one of the most memorable trade deadlines the Hornets experienced in the franchise’s three-plus decades, they’re surely looking forward to a few days off until reconvening in California earlier than initially expected just a month ago, a change as a result of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers being postponed because of the wildfires.
Grabbing a little rest and relaxation in advance of their return, allowing players and staff to clear their heads and reconnect with families, is requisite for the Hornets given what’s on the horizon.
There’s still the whole situation of welcoming Mark Williams back into the fold, something that didn’t happen in Detroit, New York and Florida — the first three stops on a marathon nine-game road trip sandwiched around the All-Star break. Since the trade sending Willams to Los Angeles for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and draft pick compensation crumbled, with the Lakers rescinding it due to a failed condition of the deal surrounding Williams’ physical, the 7-footer hasn’t rejoined the team.
Unlike Knecht, who saw action Wednesday night against the Jazz in Utah after not playing on Monday despite being active for Luke Doncic’s Los Angeles debut, Williams remained away, undoubtedly to give the 7-footer more time to mentally process the whirlwind.
While the Hornets have been in contact with NBA, appealing to see whether anything can be done in regard to the deal, league sources confirmed to The Observer, they await Williams’ return.
Beyond the team-issued statement in the aftermath of the Lakers pulling the plug, the Hornets have been mum publicly. We don’t know precisely how Jeff Peterson feels about what’s transpired. The Hornets’ president of basketball operations has yet to address the media and there is no definitive word when that will happen.
To add even more drama and intrigue to an awkward situation, should Williams be required to report to the team prior to the Hornets’ first game following the break, he’d be right in the very place that just rejected him. That’s right, matching up against the Lakers.
Could you imagine the circus atmosphere that would create at Crypto.com Arena?
The circumstances surrounding the trade being rescinded from the Lakers’ perspective remain curious, in part because of reports surfacing that Doncic hand-picked Williams to bring on board, this despite Lakers vice president and general manager Rob Pelinka saying the Hornets were the more aggressive team in trying to unload Williams on them. Pelinka’s words led to chuckles from national and local pundits when the Hornets released the statement, characterizing “the other team” as the aggressor.
But how can Doncic ask for Williams, as was indicated in an ESPN report, once the stunning move from Dallas to Los Angeles was complete if he wasn’t yet available? And if the Hornets were the more enthusiastic party, why did Peterson collect a sizable haul that included a rookie whose skill set is praised by NBA talent evaluators along with a 2031 first-round pick and an ability to swap first-rounders in 2020?
Plenty of questions remain unanswered. At least publicly.
About the only positive thing in all this — and it probably takes a glass half-full approach to even see it — is the experience those down the initial rotational ladder are gaining in being counted on more heavily, aided by the trade and the usual injury woes.
Moussa Diabate has certainly benefited, cashing in a standard NBA contract. He’s been a relentless, tireless worker, especially on the offensive glass.
Diabate sat out against Orlando, nursing an eye injury, and that provided an opportunity for Charlotte’s “other” acquisition at the trade deadline in Jusuf Nurkic to show what he can potentially bring.
“I just saw a guy that obviously understands the game at a really high level,” coach Charles Lee said. “His size, his physicality adds a different element to our group. Defensively, I thought he was good in helping the paint with his communication. And offensively, even showed me a little bit more.
“Able to rebound and push the break and I knew he was kind of a good passer but to see him handle it in the open court and make some good decisions. … Another guy you can throw it down to in the paint when you need a bucket or he gets fouled. It was really nice to have him out there.”
Time will tell if those same words will also apply to Williams.
