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The Charlotte Hornets reportedly aren't giving up on the failed trade involving former Tennessee Vols star Dalton Knecht

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Feb 11, 2025 10:42 AM ET

The bizarre saga between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers, which involves former Tennessee Vols standout Dalton Knecht, apparently isn't over just yet.

Late last week, the Lakers traded Knecht, Cam Reddish, and draft picks to the Hornets for Mark Williams.

The trade was rescinded two days later due to concerns about Williams' health.

Knecht actually made it to Charlotte and was even present for a shootaround before getting sent back to Los Angeles (Knecht never spoke to the media in Charlotte because the trade never became official).

The former Vol was on the Lakers' bench on Monday night, but he didn't dress out for the game as he is still "processing" all that's happened the last few days.

Redick expects Knecht to be back in the rotation Wednesday in Utah.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) February 11, 2025

Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick expects Knecht to return to action when the Lakers take on the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. But according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the Hornets have been in contact with the NBA as they look for ways to dispute/challenge the failed trade.

The Charlotte Hornets have been in contact with the NBA as they explore options to dispute the Los Angeles Lakers' failed physical assessment of Mark Williams, sources tell ESPN. The Williams/Dalton Knecht trade was nixed Saturday, and now Hornets weigh avenues to challenge.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 11, 2025

The Hornets officially "welcomed back" Williams in a statement on Saturday night in which they suggested that the Lakers aggressively pursued him.

None of the players involved in the trade have played since the deal was nixed.

It seems unlikely that the NBA will reverse the trade and send Knecht back to Charlotte. The Hornets, however, are exhausting all possible options before this strange situation is finally settled -- which means Knecht will continue to be in limbo until it's officially resolved.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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