This NBA season has been anything but smooth for the Lakers, and it looks like the turbulence will continue. After acquiring Luka Dončić, the team made a decision that completely altered its course, leaving the Charlotte Hornets far from happy.
Initially, a strategic trade was set to benefit both teams. However, on Saturday night, everything collapsed due to a last-minute decision by the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching staff.
The Lakers intended to send Dalton Knecht to the Hornets while acquiring young defensive anchor Mark Williams, a promising shot-blocking center. This way, Charlotte would gain a versatile scoring wing in Knecht, and L.A. would strengthen its roster with an ideal player to pair with Luka Dončić.
However, the deal fell apart after the Lakers conducted a failed physical evaluation of Williams. Reports suggest he has multiple medical issues, though they are unrelated to his previous back injury. Faced with this uncertainty, L.A. decided not to take the risk, which infuriated the Hornets.
Shams Charania, an SPN reporter, wrote: “The trade between Williams and Dalton Knecht was rejected on Saturday, and now the Hornets are weighing their options to challenge it.” In fact, Charlotte is exploring ways to dispute the Lakers’ decision regarding Williams’ health. If the NBA gets involved, it could set a precedent regarding the impact of medical evaluations on future trades.
This situation creates an imbalance for both NBA teams. The Lakers need to improve their defense to pursue a championship, while the Hornets now face an awkward scenario with Knecht, who was nearly traded. Moreover, if Williams’ health concerns are legitimate, Charlotte must rethink its rebuilding strategy.