This Mark Williams trade saga might be getting messy between the Lakers and Hornets.
On Saturday, the trade was unexpectedly canceled as Williams failed his physical with the Lakers. While it seemed as if both teams would simply move forward, that may not be the case.
However, Monday evening, the whole situation went to another level. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Hornets have contacted the league office to explore options to dispute the failed physical.
The Charlotte Hornets have been in contact with the NBA as they explore options to dispute the Los Angeles Lakers’ failed physical assessment of Mark Williams, sources tell ESPN. The Williams/Dalton Knecht trade was nixed Saturday, and now Hornets weigh avenues to challenge.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 11, 2025
This is a pretty uncommon situation, to say the least. Failed physicals have happened before, including this year, but after the deadline is rare. And challenging it is even more rare.
It also takes some shine off the insane statement after the rescinded trade, in which they expressed excitement about having Williams back. So much for that!
It’s an awkward situation as is welcoming players you traded back. Feigning excitement about wanting him back while also complaining to the league about it being rescinded is just a really bad look.
It’s also just not something you can prove the Lakers did for nefarious reasons. Unless there is a completely spotless medical record they can provide and claim the Lakers just failed him anyway, then there’s nothing here.
And even if they can prove something, is the idea that they’re going to push the trade through anyway, weeks after the deadline? Are they going to punish Lakers draft picks for failing a physical?
The Hornets just come away from this looking even messier and worse off. Move on and mend fences with your players. Don’t do whatever this is.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
