The Los Angeles Lakers have made another major trade. In a surprising deadline-day deal, the Lakers have acquired 7-foot center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, adding much-needed size, rebounding, and defensive presence to their roster. After trading Anthony Davis for Luka Dončić, the Lakers now land a young, athletic big man who they hope will fit seamlessly into their Le-system.
For the Hornets, this trade is about the long-term vision. Charlotte, deep in a rebuild, has opted to cash in on Williams’ value in exchange for promising rookie Dalton Knecht, former 10th overall pick Cam Reddish, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap. With a franchise focused on stockpiling assets and developing its young core, this deal aligns with their ongoing efforts to build for the future.
Breaking Down the Mark Williams Trade
According to ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania, here’s the full breakdown of the trade:
Los Angeles Lakers receive: Mark Williams
Charlotte Hornets receive: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap
Lakers making more moves 👀@ShamsCharania discusses the Lakers trading for Mark Williams 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qOYpCSHFb6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 6, 2025
Williams, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has quietly developed into one of the league’s most promising young centers. At just 23 years old, he has already shown flashes of elite rim protection, rebounding dominance, and efficient scoring in the paint.
In Charlotte, Williams was averaging nearly a double-double in limited minutes, and now, in Los Angeles, he will have the opportunity to showcase his talents on a much bigger stage.
What This Means for the Los Angeles Lakers
Since trading Davis, its no secret that the Lakers have needed a reliable center, and Williams provides exactly that.
His ability to protect the rim, run the floor, and crash the boards makes him an ideal fit alongside LeBron James and Dončić.
When Williams has played at least 25 minutes per game, he has averaged 19.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 61.3% from the field, and now he’ll take on a bigger role with Los Angeles.
Mark Williams when playing 25+ MIN:
19.9 PPG
11.8 RPG
2.8 APG
61.3% FGHe’s still only 23 years old. pic.twitter.com/nnHVsoORr4
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) February 6, 2025
With Williams still being on his rookie deal through 2026, the Lakers acquire a high-upside player without sacrificing financial flexibility.
Given the rising cost of quality big men around the league, adding a young center on a team-friendly contract is a major win.
Why the Charlotte Hornets Made This Move
For Charlotte, this trade is about building toward the future. The Hornets aren’t in a position to compete right now, and while Williams was a strong piece of their young core, the front office ultimately chose to flip him for additional assets.
Knecht, the Lakers’ first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has the potential to be a high-level scorer in the league. His ability to shoot from deep and create his own shot makes him an intriguing addition to Charlotte’s roster. Meanwhile, Reddish, still just 24, provides a reclamation project for a team that can afford to take a flyer on his untapped potential.
However, the biggest prize for Charlotte is the unprotected 2031 first-round pick. Given the uncertain future of the Lakers’ roster in the post-LeBron era, that selection could become incredibly valuable down the line.
