Reversal of fortunes: Los Angeles Lakers call off trade for Mark Williams, Dalton Knecht
So much for Dalton Knecht’s career in Charlotte.
In a stunning turn of events, the Charlotte Hornets’ agreed-upon trade sending Mark Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers for Knecht, Cam Reddish and draft pick compensation has been rescinded due to failure to satisfy a condition of the trade.
The Lakers released a statement announcing the move, which comes 48 hours after the two sides made the deal — contingent on the passing of physicals.
That means the conditions of the draft pick compensation — the 2031 unprotected first-round selection and the ability to swap first-rounders 2030 — were also voided.
“We are excited to welcome Mark back to our Hornets organization,” the Hornets said in a statement. “After the other team aggressively pursued Mark, we made the difficult decision to move him. We have always held great respect for Mark’s talent, work ethic, and character.
“We are thrilled to see him rejoin our roster as a dynamic presence at the starting center position. His return strengthens our team, and we look forward to the impact he will make on and off the court.”
Williams has dealt with foot and back issues during his two-plus seasons with the Hornets, leading to several games missed. He’s barely logged 82 games combined in parts of three seasons, and a foot injury he picked up while training prior to the start of preseason sidelined the 7-footer for the season’s initial 19 games.
Originally listed as questionable for the Lakers’ game against Indiana at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday afternoon due to the pending trade, Williams was downgraded to out roughly 90 minutes before tipoff. That’s when something seemed amiss, particularly since none of the players involved in the deal were introduced to the media and hadn’t spoken publicly despite the trade being announced by both teams.
Now, the sides are left scrambling.
Knecht, averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 42 games with the Lakers after being drafted 17th overall by Los Angeles last June, was with the Hornets on Friday but didn’t play. His shooting was supposed to better assist star point guard LaMelo Ball stretch the floor.
Williams’ return also complicates things at center since the Hornets acquired Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick from Phoenix in exchange for Cody Martin, Vasa Micić and a 2026 second-round selection. Moussa Diabate moved into the starting spot in Friday night’s win and will head back to a reserve roll with the wildly unexpected return of Williams.
This story was originally published February 8, 2025 at 10:04 PM.
