Mark Williams shares his first comments on Lakers canceling trade

Mark Williams looked like he was going to be heading to the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the trade deadline, but then things came undone when the trade was rescinded. Now Williams is finally weighing in on the matter.

The Lakers had acquired Williams in a trade made on Feb. 5. They sent Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish, as well as an unprotected first-round pick in 2031 and pick swap rights in 2030, to the Charlotte Hornets for Williams. The Lakers thought they were getting an answer at center after they had shipped out Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. But things changed.

On Feb. 10, we learned that the Lakers had rescinded the trade after their medical staff identified multiple issues during Williams’ physical.

Williams was shocked that he had been failed over his physical considering how he had been playing.

“I didn’t think I had failed my physical. That didn’t even cross my mind,” Williams said in comments to The Charlotte Observer. “The night I got traded I played hella minutes. I didn’t think in any world that was possible. Since I’ve been back at the start of the year, I’ve played games with a lot of minutes. I feel like every injury I’ve had has been well-documented and I’ve recovered, and been 100% since. So, I don’t know what went into that decision. I think that’s up to them.”

Williams had played in 25 minutes in his Hornets’ 112-102 loss to the Bucks on the night he was traded. He had 6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in the game.

Williams has played in 23 games this season and is averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.7 steals per contest. He was the No. 15 overall pick by the Hornets out of Duke in 2022. He’s struggled with his health and has only played in 85 games over three seasons. Williams has had multiple issues with his back that has prevented him from playing full seasons.

After the trade for Williams fell through, the Lakers added Alex Len.