Dwight Howard Gives Perfect Reaction to Lakers Failed Trade For Mark Williams

Ricardo Sandoval | Feb 10, 2025

Apr 7, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) hangs on the rim after a dunk during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers came away with the win on Saturday over the Indiana Pacers, 124-117.

The win extended the Lakers' win streak to five games, and they have a chance to extend it to six on Monday.

However, while the win was great, L.A. suffered a tough loss to their team as the Mark Williams trade that took place prior to Thursday's trade deadline was rescinded.

It was a shocking turn of events for a Lakers team that was viewed as the clear winners of the deadline.

This move now leaves the Lakers with no center for the rest of the season.

That said, the page must now be turned, but it appears fans are turning towards former L.A. center and champion Dwight Howard for answers at the center position.

However, Howard was not on board with the fans and had a perfect reaction to the failed trade.

The former Lakers champion has been vocal regarding L.A.'s woes at the center position throughout the years.

Prior to trading away Anthony Davis, the Lakers needed a center. And, after these unfortunate turn of events regarding Williams, L.A. is not in a good spot regarding its center position.

The deal between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams was shockingly rescinded on Saturday night.

Williams was supposed to be the starting big man for the Lakers after they traded away Davis in exchange for Luka Dončić.; however, that will no longer be the case for L.A.

The deal between the Hornets and Lakers, which took place on Wednesday night, centered Mark Williams from the Hornets. In return, L.A. was sending out guard Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, the 2031 first-round draft pick, and a pick-swap.

The center position for the Lakers remains the weakest link on the team.
The loss of Williams is determinant to the Lakers' chances this season, and now Dončić loses out on the lob threat he so desperately needed.

Williams, who stands at seven feet tall and appeared in 22 games (19 starts) for the Hornets this season, is averaging 16.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25.0 minutes.

Even if Howard is interested, there is little to no chance that he would have returned to the Lakers.

In three seasons in the purple and gold (all three different stints), he averaged 10.7 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 61.6 percent from the field and 62 percent from the charity stripe.

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For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.