Lakers rescind Mark Williams for Dalton Knecht trade after NBA trade deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers have made some stunning basketball moves lately with their front office. On Saturday evening, Los Angeles decided to rescind the Mark Williams/Dalton Knecht trade. It was reported by Shams Charania of ESPN late Saturday night. According to Jovan Buha, the Lakers said the trade between the Hornets and Lakers was rescinded due to the failure to satisfy a condition of the deal.

More details on the Mark Williams-Dalton Knecht trade

On Wednesday night, the Lakers dealt Dalton Knecht along with Cam Reddish and two picks, one first-round selection as well as a swap, to the Charlotte Hornets. In return, LA received Mark Williams. That’s all per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Knecht, the Lakers’ first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Tennessee, is the biggest name in this deal in the middle of his rookie season in the association. He had averaged 9.4 points (46.5% FG, 35.8% 3PT) and 3.1 rebounds in his 48 games, including a dozen starts, for Los Angeles. Those were the early returns on a player that many felt was the steal of this year’s draft class after he fell to No. 17 for the selection by LA.

Williams is then in his third year as a pro out of Duke with him having spent all of those in Charlotte. He had become the Hornets’ starting center when available as he posted 11.6 points (62.1% FG), 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in his 85 games. He was currently having a career-best year too at 15.6 points (58.6% FG), 9.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.

With that, the Lakers add a center in Williams to try and replace the presence of Anthony Davis following this weekend’s mega-deal that sent him to Dallas in exchange for Luka Dončić.

Reddish, also a Blue Devil alum, is also notable as the only other player in the trade as he heads to his fifth franchise in his sixth season in the NBA. He now leaves Los Angeles averaging the fewest points per game of his career at 3.3 in 18.1 minutes an appearance.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater also contributed to this article.

The post Lakers rescind Mark Williams for Dalton Knecht trade after NBA trade deadline appeared first on On3.