Report: Lakers Trading For Mark Williams After Luka Doncic Asked For Center ‘Wasn’t Lost’ On LeBron James’ Camp

February 10, 2025

According to NBA reporter Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers trading for Mark Williams after Luka Doncic asked for a center “wasn’t lost” on LeBron James‘ camp.

The Lakers traded for Williams after having a meeting with Doncic.

However, the trade fell through after Williams failed his physical with Los Angeles.

“What is clear is that Doncic will have a say,” McMenamin wrote. “And it wasn’t lost on James’ camp, sources said, that Rob Pelinka prioritized Doncic’s involvement upon his arrival and immediately engaged in the Williams trade that he’d asked for, when James had for years wanted the team to trade its picks to improve its roster.”

The Lakers traded Anthony Davis and Max Christie to the Dallas Mavericks for Doncic, whose basketball idol is LeBron.

Davis and LeBron have the same agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group. The two superstars are close friends, but LeBron understood why the Lakers made the trade to acquire Doncic, one of the best players in the NBA.

“By keeping his negotiations with Mavericks GM Nico Harrison closed, and parting with someone so close to James without his signoff, Pelinka’s move could have easily caused James to want out, too,” McMenamin wrote. “Instead, James understood the business decision and accepted that it was a deal they had to make, sources close to the veteran said.”

The Lakers are in fifth place in the Western Conference under first-year head coach JJ Redick. They are 31-19.

LeBron and Doncic will make their debut as a duo tonight (2/10) against the Utah Jazz at home.

“I don’t really see a challenge,” LeBron said. “Everybody get in the right spots. Hold each other accountable. Play basketball the right way. Share the ball. The ball is going to be in Luka’s hands. It’s going to be in [Austin Reaves‘] hands. Two great decision-makers. It’s going to be in my hands a little bit as well. Another great decision-maker. And then our guys are going to feast off of it. I mean, that’s a beautiful thing.”