Report: Hornets will try to trade Mark Williams again in offseason

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Charlotte Hornets will try to trade Mark Williams again in the offseason. 

The Hornets traded Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers for Dalton Knecht, but the Lakers rescinded the deal after Williams failed his physical. 

“Williams is obviously back with the Hornets after the Lakers rescinded their February trade for the Charlotte big man, but some rival executives expect the Williams trade market to be re-explored this summer,” Stein wrote. “The Hornets have tried to shut down similar speculation about star guard LaMelo Ball, but the reality remains that Williams, Ball and Brandon Miller have managed to appear in the same game just 18 times over the past two seasons.”

Williams will make $6.3 million next season. The center is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason. 

The 23-year-old Williams is averaging 15.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Hornets this season while shooting 59.3% from the field and 79.4% from the free-throw line. He’s appeared in 35 games. 

Charlotte drafted Williams with the 15th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Williams, who went to Duke, has career averages of 12.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists. 

The Hornets will miss the playoffs again this season. They haven’t made the postseason since 2016. 

Under first-year head coach Charles Lee, Charlotte is 28th in the NBA in points per game, 15th in points per game allowed, 29th in offensive rating, 23rd in defensive rating and 28th in net rating. 

It will be fascinating to see what the Hornets do with Williams this summer.

One thing is sure: the Lakers won’t try to trade for the Virginia native again. 

Los Angeles is in fourth place in the Western Conference standings. The team is a title contender with Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves leading the way. 

After the failed Williams trade, Jaxson Hayes took his game to another level and has established himself as a quality starting center.