Canceled trade for center looms large for Lakers as season ends

Days after the Lakers sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic, the team announced a trade that sent rookie Dalton Knecht, a 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. Williams averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks this season, dunking 109 times in 44 games.

Days later, Williams failed his physical with the Lakers. The Lakers decided to rescind the trade, but after the deadline had passed, leaving them with Jaxson Hayes and little else at the center position. Hayes didn't play at all Wednesday and took the floor for only 30 minutes in five games. Knecht only played four minutes of garbage time in the series, sharing the court with deep reserves like Bronny James.

Redick chose to stick with small ball lineups, and Gobert responded with 27 points and 24 rebounds in Game 5, grabbing nine offensive boards.

It's not a shock that the Williams failed a physical, since he's played only 106 games in his three-year NBA career. But the Lakers already knew he had an injury history — he missed 63 games in the 2023-24 season — when they made the deal. To reject his physical suggests the team had buyer's remorse about dealing the draft picks.

It might be a prudent decision in the long-term to save the draft capital, but LeBron James is 40 years old. The Lakers had a chance to plug their biggest hole while their all-time great player is still playing at a high level and they backed out of the deal. Now, thanks to that hole at center, they're out of the playoffs in the first round.