By Rohit - Feb 07, 2025 05:12 PM
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a significant move to strengthen their interior presence, acquiring center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. The trade sees the Lakers part with guard Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a future first-round draft pick, and a pick-swap in exchange for the promising young center.
This move addresses a key area of need for the Lakers, who have been seeking consistent production and size in their frontcourt. Williams, a towering 7-footer weighing in at 260 pounds, brings a blend of scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and defensive potential that the Lakers hope will elevate their team's performance.
Williams, just 23 years old, has shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the Hornets. In 22 games this season (19 starts), he averaged an impressive 16.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in just 25.0 minutes of action. His recent performance against Memphis, where he exploded for a career-high 38 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, showcased his offensive capabilities. He also demonstrated his dominance on the boards with a 22-point, 13-rebound double-double in a single half against Phoenix, joining an elite group of players to achieve such a feat this season.
Selected 15th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft after a successful two-year stint at Duke University, Williams was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-ACC Third Team honors in his final collegiate season. His defensive acumen and rim protection will be valuable assets for the Lakers. Over his 84-game NBA career (55 starts), Williams has averaged 11.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 22.5 minutes, indicating his consistent contributions when given playing time.
While the acquisition of Williams is a significant upgrade for the Lakers, it comes at a cost. They traded away promising rookie guard Dalton Knecht, the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Knecht, known for his scoring ability, averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 48 appearances (12 starts) for the Lakers this season and was recently selected for the 2025 Rising Stars Game. The Lakers also parted ways with forward Cam Reddish, who, despite showing potential throughout his career, struggled to find a consistent role with the team. Reddish, the 10th overall pick in the 2019 draft, has averaged 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steals across his six NBA seasons. In addition to these players, the Lakers also traded a future first-round draft pick and a pick-swap, further emphasizing their commitment to winning now.
For the Hornets, this trade allows them to acquire young talent and future draft assets. Knecht offers potential as a scorer, and the future first-round pick gives them flexibility in upcoming drafts. While they lose a promising young center in Williams, they gain pieces that could contribute to their rebuilding process.
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