What was supposed to be a major move for the future has now fallen apart—the Los Angeles Lakers have officially rescinded their trade for Mark Williams, keeping their center position in flux.
Williams, a 23-year-old rising big man, was expected to become LA’s defensive anchor, but after failing his physical, the deal is dead in the water.
Why Did the Trade Fall Through?
Originally, the Lakers were set to send Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Williams, but now he’ll stay put in Charlotte.
🔹 The mystery remains: Williams’ well-documented back issues weren’t the reason for the failed physical.
🔹 The Lakers haven’t disclosed the specific concern, and they aren’t obligated to do so.
For now, the Lakers will roll with Jaxson Hayes as their starting center, a huge drop-off from what they envisioned with Williams.
How Does This Affect the Lakers?
With Williams out of the picture, LA’s biggest problem remains unsolved—their lack of a dominant rim protector.
❌ Jaxson Hayes isn’t an elite defender
❌ New signing Alex Len won’t change much
❌ LeBron James & Luka Dončić will have to carry even more of the load
Los Angeles wanted Williams because of his ability to defend the rim and provide an inside presence next to Luka Dončić. Now, they’ll have to outscore opponents instead of locking them down defensively.
Can the Lakers’ offense make up for their defensive shortcomings?
What’s Next for LA?
This trade failure significantly lowers the Lakers’ championship ceiling this season. While adding Dončić makes them an offensive powerhouse, their lack of size and defense could be their downfall.
🔹 They’ll have to explore free agents or wait until the offseason to address the center position.
🔹 Hayes and Len will be stopgap solutions, but neither is a true game-changer.
🔹 The focus shifts entirely to LeBron, Dončić, and Austin Reaves to carry the team with elite scoring.
Without a defensive anchor, their path to the Finals just got much tougher.
Final Take: Lakers Need a New Plan
With Williams off the table, the Lakers’ title hopes are in serious jeopardy. They desperately need a true center, but time is running out.
📅 Next Steps:
1️⃣ Explore the buyout market for an emergency center
2️⃣ Hope Dončić’s offense can compensate for weak defense
3️⃣ Prepare for an offseason move to land a top-tier big
Are the Lakers still contenders without a true defensive big man?
The rest of the NBA will be watching closely.
