NBA Teams Discussing Ways For League To Prevent Nixed Trades After Hornets-Lakers Flameout

February 11, 2025

Following the Lakers’ decision to rescind their trade for Mark Williams with the Hornets, NBA teams are discussing whether the league should implement measures to prevent similar situations in the future, reports ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

“I’ve heard from multiple teams on this with the below questions,” Marks wrote, sharing the list of concerns.

“Should it be solely up to the team and their medical staff to decide if a player fails a physical? What is the criteria for failing if the player is playing and healthy? Should there be a third party involved to mediate a situation like this? Despite the deadline passing, should teams be allowed to amend a trade (draft compensation only), if there’s a concern re: physical?”

The Hornets had agreed to trade Williams in exchange for rookie wing Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, the Lakers’ unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and a 2030 first-round pick swap.

Although both teams announced the trade on Thursday, it remained conditional on Williams and Knecht reporting to their new teams and passing physicals. Since the trade deadline had passed, there was no way to amend the deal.

The Lakers had viewed Williams as an ideal pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic, who reportedly urged the front office to find a center upgrade and “handpicked” Williams as a target.

Meanwhile, the Hornets faced an awkward situation of welcoming Williams back in a statement while losing all the assets and players involved in the deal. Knecht and Reddish were also put in an uncomfortable position of returning to a team that had just traded them away.

The Lakers’ decision to void the trade could also impact Williams’ future trade value, providing further motivation for Charlotte to dispute the findings. Williams has played just 85 games in his first two-and-a-half seasons due to various injuries.