Lakers Reportedly Rescind Dalton Knecht-Mark Williams Trade

For now, the Lakers will be retaining their sharpshooting rookie.

Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Per a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Lakers trading of Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and NBA Draft picks for Hornets center Mark Williams has been rescinded.

Lakers say the Mark Williams/Dalton Knecht trade has been rescinded.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 9, 2025

The trade was initially pushed through on Thursday, landing third-year center Mark Williams in LA at the behest of newly-added superstar Luka Doncic. Williams had struggled to stay on-court so far in his short career, but is amidst a breakout season averaging 16.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.

Knecht, a rookie sharpshooter for the Lakers, was thought of to be a target of Charlotte’s for awhile, and it appeared for a time that he had landed there. Additionally, the Hornets were thought to have added valuable draft capital.

Per a follow up tweet from Charania: "Mark Williams' physical with the Lakers showed multiple issues and the team failed him on the exam — the physical was not failed due to his back, however." Per NBA insider Marc Stein: “The Lakers just announced that their trade with Charlotte to acquire Mark Williams has been rescinded “due to failure to satisfy a condition of the trade.”

The Lakers just announced that their trade with Charlotte to acquire Mark Williams has been rescinded “due to failure to satisfy a condition of the trade.”

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 9, 2025

With the trade deadline passed, for now, it appears the Lakers talented rookie —  who has scored 9.4 points on 47% shooting, hitting a solid amount of triples while adding plenty in other areas — will remain in LA. Despite having been a valuable trade chip at the deadline, he continues to make plenty of sense in the team's new iteration alongside Luka Doncic with superior shooting and even some shot-creation.

Williams now remains in Charlotte, where he's been a strong part of a core including LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and more this season.

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