Feb 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) controls the ball as Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Draft night stunner: Reacting to the Hornets trading Mark Williams again

Originally posted on Charlotte Hornets on SI
By Schuyler Callihan | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 9:41 PM ET

Shortly after the Charlotte Hornets selected Duke's Kon Knueppel with the fourth overall pick, they made a big-time trade, once again involving center Mark Williams.

Below are the full trade details, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Phoenix Suns receive: C Mark Williams

Charlotte Hornets receive: 29th overall pick, 2029 1st-round pick

What does this mean for Charlotte? Is this the right decision? Here's what our staff has to say about the deal.

Zach Roberts: Shock

I’m a little shocked to see Mark Williams go on a draft-night trade that doesn’t really pave the way to pick a center. And they now have three picks after the 28th, which is good, but not really all that useful. Moussa Diabate and Jusuf Nurkic is not really a great center tandem, so while the return is good and Williams probably didn’t have a future in Charlotte, there are a few questions persisting now that weren’t there before.

Schuyler Callihan: Stunned

Although it would be hard to repair the relationship, I felt like the Hornets could have let this next season ride out with Williams to see if he could develop into a top 15 or so center, but I understand it. I guess I'm more shocked that it took place when it did and not after the draft. There will be teams who need centers after the draft, and they could've probably landed the 29th pick by packaging 33 and 34 together. I'm a big believer in Moussa Diabate, but not sure he's the center of the future. Look for the Hornets to target a big man with the 29th pick.

Owen O'Connor: Not surprised

Had seen Williams' name pop up in rumors over the past few weeks, and after the Lakers fiasco, it was clear the team was set on moving on. What I’m interested in now is to see what they plan on doing at center, whether it be Moussa Diabate, Jusuf Nurkic, or someone else.