The Los Angeles Lakers finally have a big man. Since they made the mind-numbing trade for Luka Dončić in exchange for Anthony Davis, one of the primary questions on fans’ minds has been the center spot. A shallow group for the team as it is, the loss of Davis dealt a huge blow to LA’s depth in that department.
But, by trading away Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a first-rounder, and a pick swap years down the line, the Lakers have acquired one of the brightest young centers in the NBA in Mark Williams. The 23-year-old has been phenomenal for the Charlotte Hornets since stepping into the league and fills several holes in Los Angeles’ rotation.
So, how did the trade fare for both sides?
Trade Grades for the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets
Los Angeles Lakers: B
On the Lakers’ front, the need for a big man was essential. And once they acquired Dončić, there was a specific kind of bigs that general manager Rob Pelinka was looking at. According to Ramona Shelburne, who is as trusted a voice in Lakerland as any reporter, the team had conversations with the Slovenian surrounding their big man depth.
“Lakers had been looking for a big but once they got Luka this week, they knew exactly what kind of big they wanted. From what I’ve heard, in Luka’s initial basketball conversations he told Lakers GM Rob Pelinka he played best when he had a vertical lob threat.
“When Charlotte called saying they liked Knecht and might be willing to discuss Mark Williams, the deal came into place.”
Lakers had been looking for a big but once they got Luka this week, they knew exactly what kind of big they wanted. From what I’ve heard, in Luka’s initial basketball conversations he told Lakers GM Rob Pelinka he played best when he had a vertical lob threat. When Charlotte…
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 6, 2025
Keeping your new superstar happy is always a priority for a team. But, in Williams, the Lakers are getting one of the best possible names they could have realistically gotten. Over the last 10 games, he’s been averaging 20.3 points per game, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.
Moreover, at just $4.1 million and $6.3 million over the next two seasons, Williams is dirt cheap compared to his production.
For a Lakers team that desperately needed some size up front, Williams answers nearly every concern they had. He can be a defensive anchor, strong rebounder, lob threat, and elite finisher around the bucket. Further, he has shown enough flashes of a jumper for growth in that department to be an intriguing question mark for Los Angeles.
The only concern for LA is Williams’ injury history. In three seasons, he’s played just 84 total games, including a paltry 22 this season. Over that time, Williams has dealt with multiple injuries, never stringing together long stretches of continuous play.
Keeping that in mind, two first-rounders and Knecht might be a bit steeper than the price most anticipated. After coming out firing on all cylinders, Knecht has cooled off significantly. Still, he’s a rookie sharpshooter to build for the future.
As a result, the Lakers walk away with a B grade for the trade.
Charlotte Hornets: B-
The injury history is what acts as a saving grace for Charlotte. The potential that Williams was displaying was off the charts. On a team led by LaMelo Ball and multiple wings already in the rotation, an athletic big man would have been the ideal fit.
Nevertheless, the Hornets are now entering a deeper stage of the rebuild with another intriguing piece to add to their tally in Knecht. Charlotte might, in fact, be taking an Oklahoma City Thunder and Sam Presti-inspired approach to their dealings with the war chest of draft picks they’re accumulating.
They have their own first-round pick for the next seven years and hold a Miami Heat first-rounder, a first-rounder from the Dallas Mavericks in 2027, and now the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2031. The Hornets could build from the NBA Draft or stockpile assets to go after a major free agent/disgruntled star in the near future.
However, it might not be long before Ball himself starts feeling the frustrations of not finding success. Long term, the deal might work out in Charlotte’s favor, but short-term success will be hard to find. And with a supermax player already on the squad, that’s a thin line that first-year general manager Jeff Peterson and head coach Charles Lee are walking.
As a result, the Hornets walk away with a B- grade for the trade.
