NBA Fans Chuckle As Dalton Knecht, Mark Williams Trudge Back to Their Old Teams

A failed physical nixed the trade between the Lakers and Hornets.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams failed his physical, nixing the trade that would have sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers. / Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

The trade-deadline deal that would have sent Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for rookie forward Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish and draft pick compensation was rescinded on Saturday night by the Lakers after Williams failed the physical, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Lakers reportedly found multiple issues in the physical that made them uncomfortable with what they were giving up to get Williams, but it's unclear what those issues were. Williams's back, which has kept him in and out of the lineup throughout the early part of his career, was reportedly not among the reasons for the failed physical.

The trade leaves the Lakers very thin in the frontcourt following the trade that sent center Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka guard Doncic, and now Los Angeles will try to contend in the West with a smaller lineup of shooters around forward LeBron James and the newly acquired Doncic.

NBA fans wasted no time posting jokes on social media about the potential awkwardness for all parties as the players return to their respective teams. Here are some of the best reactions to the nixed trade:

hornets sent grant williams to LA with a piece of paper that said “i am mark” https://t.co/k8tziM94Qz

— Pratik (@PatelESPN) February 9, 2025

the Mark Williams Lakers era pic.twitter.com/eEWheCShhj

— Jake (@SuperiorNBA) February 9, 2025

the hornets conducting mark williams’ physical before trading him to the lakers pic.twitter.com/Ilg0jYMI4F

— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) February 9, 2025

Adam Silver and the NBA saw the Lakers beat the Pacers without Lebron and Luka and decided to rescind the Mark Williams trade. pic.twitter.com/mjfd9UMCV0

— HAPPY Lakers fan (@oprahsideclark) February 9, 2025

Mark Williams getting sent back to Charlotte when he thought he was gonna catch lobs from
LeBron and Luka pic.twitter.com/RGw3uhJzug

— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) February 9, 2025

---

More of the Latest Around the NBA

feed