The Lakers aren’t messing round. Simply days after pulling off a blockbuster deal for Luka Doncic, they’re again at it again-this time shaking up their frontcourt. Of their newest transfer, L.A. has despatched rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round decide, and a 2030 decide swap to Charlotte in alternate for middle Mark Williams.
Williams, standing at a towering 7-foot-2, has been placing up spectacular numbers this season-16 factors, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per recreation. On paper, he appears like an ideal match alongside Doncic, providing a big-bodied rim protector and lob menace to enhance Luka’s wizardry with the ball. However there is a catch.
Bronny James shows misplaced conduct amid Luka Doncic commerce drama on the Lakers’ bench
The 22-year-old massive man has struggled to remain on the ground. His rookie season noticed him swimsuit up for 43 video games, Yr 2 was even worse at simply 19, and this season? Up to now, 22 video games performed. The potential is simple, however availability remains to be an enormous query mark.
For the Hornets, this deal is all in regards to the future. They get Knecht, a rookie who’s been stable in L.A., averaging 9.4 factors on 47% taking pictures with a good outdoors stroke. Throw in Reddish, who nonetheless has untapped upside, plus two beneficial draft belongings, and Charlotte is a fairly stable return for a participant with sturdiness issues.
All-in or all remorse? Lakers wager massive on Mark Williams
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka is clearly betting massive on Williams, believing he can keep wholesome and thrive in an offense that includes Doncic and LeBron James. “Mark’s athleticism and presence within the paint might be a key a part of what we’re constructing,”Pelinka mentioned. “We see him as an ideal match for our imaginative and prescient shifting ahead.”
This transfer additionally indicators an aggressive win-now mindset from the Lakers, who aren’t eager about ready round for younger expertise to develop. They’re pushing their chips to the middle of the desk, banking on Williams being the ultimate piece to their new-look roster.
The actual query? Can Williams keep on the court docket lengthy sufficient to justify the funding? If he does, this commerce may find yourself trying like a steal for L.A. If not, they could have simply mortgaged a chunk of their future for one more injury-plagued massive. Both means, the Lakers are ensuring the NBA is watching.
