Lakers Trade for Hornets 23-Year-Old Center
After making a huge splash before the trade deadline by acquiring Luka Dončić, the Lakers are back at it again. This time, the Lakers are building up their frontcourt by trading for 23-year-old center Mark Williams. Los Angeles traded Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap. This trade is big for both teams. The Lakers get the center they so desperately needed while the Hornets get a solid rookie in Knecht and draft capital. Does this trade maximize the Lakers’ chances in the Western Conference?
Williams has only played in 23 games this season. In 25 minutes a game, he averaged about 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block a game. For Knecht, he’s played in 48 games this season averaging nine points, three rebounds, and an assist a game through 21 minutes a night. Los Angeles holds the fifth seed in the West at 29-19 while Charlotte is 12-36 which is 14th in the East. Both teams are on two completely different trajectories. Will the Lakers benefit from the 23-year-old center on the court alongside Luka and LeBron James?
The Lakers are looking like a completely different team with the two trades they have made. As it’s looking, they’re matching up against the best in the West, whether that’s the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, or the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have the chance to make it out of the West and appear in another NBA Finals. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the second half of the season plays out for Los Angeles and how well the 23-year-old center can perform with his new team.
