TRADE: Mark Williams to Lakers | Knecht+Reddish+2031 FRP to CHA

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) 
Just In: The Los Angeles Lakers are trading Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams, sources tell ESPN.

[Jym]

no one can be surprised if the Lakers make the WCF

[SleepingHero]

Oh for sure. Luka got his lob threat center. The league is f'd

[audiosway]

The NBA, where the other teams draft and develop players for the Lakers.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I guess I’m the only one that didn’t know Mark Williams is this good.

[audiosway]

no one can be surprised if the Lakers make the WCF

I hope this passes but at the moment I kind of hope they knock out Dallas on the way there.

[vfromlmf]

Showtime

[SleepingHero]

@ramonashelburne
Lakers had been looking for a big but once they got Luka this week, they knew exactly what kind of big they wanted. From what I’ve heard, in Luka’s initial basketball conversations he told Lakers GM Rob Pelinka he played best when he had a vertical lob threat. When Charlotte called saying they liked Knecht and might be willing to discuss Mark Williams, the deal came into place.

[SleepingHero]

@ramonashelburne
The Lakers had previously looked at more veteran, slower/older bigs. But when Luka explained how much playing with Lively and Gafford opened things up for him in Dallas, LA felt like this was the move that would give them a shot this year and beyond.

[vfromlmf]

So it's not that hard to build around Luka after all. How long did it take the Lakers? 48 hours? Less?

[Knutsen]

So it's not that hard to build around Luka after all. How long did it take the Lakers? 48 hours? Less?

It‘s not with the assistance of Nico Harrison. All the assets they spent for Williams should have gone to us for Luka - Knecht, the first round pick and the swap.

[WillE]

So the Lakers suddenly could move their 2031 FRP, where Pelinka was said that he was able to convince Nico that they need to keep it to not give Luka too much leverage...smh.

[vfromlmf]

Luka took a Mavs team with Brunson, DFS, Bullock, and Powell to the WCF

Now he has Reeves, DFS plus several wings who are better than Bullock, a 7' 2" athletic center, and LEBRON F'n JAMES

[audiosway]

Luka took a Mavs team with Brunson, DFS, Bullock, and Powell to the WCF

Now he has Reeves, DFS plus several wings who are better than Bullock, a 7' 2" athletic center, and LEBRON F'n JAMES

Totally agree. And not even in his prime yet. Ugh. Nico gonna make me a Lakers fan.

[omahen]

Talented player, but bery risky move. M.Williams has been injured a lot. Played 41 games combined in last two seasons and just 43 games in his first one. Also, Gafford ate him alive a couple of weeks ago when Mavs played Charlotte.

[BolsDamols]

should have just sent Gafford with Luka to LA so we can have the LA Mavs - Luka/DFS/Maxi/Gafford

[BolsDamols]

no one can be surprised if the Lakers make the WCF

…and Mavs missing the POs…Nico the idiot will probably be surprised

[omahen]

Lakers basically set their team for next season, as their only remaining asset is Reaves. To an extent could also be LeBron, but I think he will retire as a Laker. They only have one SRP left to trade and a couple of pick swaps. Williams is a huge gamble. If he can stay healthy, he could be a good trade asset. If not...

I know Reaves is limited defensively, but I could see him work next to Luka. Kyrie also worked with Luka despite their defensive limitations. Of course Reaves is not Kyrie on offense, but he is good and on a great contract. They are set on center if he can stay healthy and they have good shooters (DFS and Hachimura are shooting over 40 %), although not on a good volume. They have good wing defenders in Vando (another player with a big question mark if he can stay healthy) and DFS. Nothing else on that team. No good young talents. They will likely scan the buyout market, but they are limited due to first apron rules.

For this season it will all come down to how much Luka and LeBron are willing and able to play defense. On the other hand, they will be very difficult to stop on offense. LeBron and Luka can both post up, drive, shoot,... Which team has two strong, mobile and big wings to guard them?

Lakers have basically a clean sheet for 2026 summer as only Vando and Shake Milton (min deal) are under contract then. The big challenge will be to replace LeBron (I assume he retires at some point or at least his salary is reduced). They will be able to trade 2026 and 2033 picks. Not a strong FA class with some very old stars (Durant, Lillard). Strong "almost star" and high level role players class though - Mikal Bridges, Jaren Jackson, Hartnestein, Wiggins, Gordon, Poeltl, PJ, Dort. Plenty of excellent defenders and solid offensive guys to build a team. But, teams will likely take care of best free agents before than anyway.

[omahen]

I wouldn't be surprised if Lakers trade Maxi and another pick swap for someone able to play at this TDL, but it will be difficult as he is a big negative contract. Their PO rotation currently is just LeBron, Luka, Reaves, Rui, DFS, Vando and Williams with Vincent and Hayes playing limited minutes. They might choose to play a lot of small ball.

They will probably have to make a decision on Reaves in the summer.

[meistermatze]

So you are saying the Lakers are willing to build around a fat lazy piece of shit? They must be crazy.

(My heart is breaking more and more, because while I am not sure all the pieces will fit right away in LA for Luka, this makes it obvious, that they are a) gonna be fun to watch from day 1 and b) the Lakers know what they got and will try to make it work with him and c) I hate Nico Harrison).