‘Less durable than Zion’ – Lakers fans concerned over new center’s huge red flag following Luka Doncic trade
The Los Angeles Lakers have continued their squad revolution. Led by general manager Rob Pelinka, the Lakers have further upended their roster by acquiring center Mark Williams in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, according to ESPN. Mark Williams is the latest addition to the Lakers’ roster The deal, which sees L.A. finally get their big man, sends rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to the Hornets in exchange for Williams. The 23-year-old is a 7-foot, 240-pound mobile big man who fits the profile of what the Lakers have been searching for. Williams comes with a huge lob threat that’s expected to bring the best out of new superstar Luka Doncic. According to ESPN, Doncic expressed his desire to the Lakers’ front office on Monday that they get a big man who provides vertical spacing at the rim and gives him another option on offense. Williams is also a solid shooter, shooting 59.7 percent from the floor and averaging 16.9 points while adding 9.8 rebounds for the Hornets this season. The towering center is expected to slot straight into the starting unit as the Lakers expect him to progress on the same timeline as 25-year-old Doncic. Williams also has ties to head coach JJ Redick, as the two shared a close relationship when the former Hornet was at Duke University, Redick’s alma mater. However, while many will rejoice at the fact Los Angeles finally have a center, some fans have been quick to point out the red flags in the deal. One issue with Williams is his availability– the 23-year-old has played in 84 out of 212 games for Charlotte in his two and half years in North Carolina. Williams has suffered multiple injuries to his ankle, thumb, back and foot over the last three years, and has required surgery in the past. Rob Pelinka (left) has drastically changed the make-up of the Lakers rotation “85 games played in 3 years. He makes Zion [Williamson] look durable,” one fan wrote on X, referencing the Pelicans All-Star who has had issues staying healthy his entire career. “I’m concerned for sure,” one fan also posted on social media. Although one fan expressed the need for the deal with the current market as it is, saying on X, “Guess it’s worth the risk when there’s literally no good centres available.” Nevertheless, Los Angeles is confident in his medicals, according to ESPN, as the most recent back and foot injuries to Williams never required surgery. The Lakers may move on the market again, as two are players leaving for Williams, meaning there is a roster spot available for a new addition. In the meantime, the purple and gold will host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, a team that have also had drastic changes to their roster with the arrival of Jimmy Butler.
The Los Angeles Lakers have continued their squad revolution.
Led by general manager Rob Pelinka, the Lakers have further upended their roster by acquiring center Mark Williams in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets, according to ESPN.
The deal, which sees L.A. finally get their big man, sends rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap to the Hornets in exchange for Williams.
The 23-year-old is a 7-foot, 240-pound mobile big man who fits the profile of what the Lakers have been searching for.
Williams comes with a huge lob threat that’s expected to bring the best out of new superstar Luka Doncic.
According to ESPN, Doncic expressed his desire to the Lakers’ front office on Monday that they get a big man who provides vertical spacing at the rim and gives him another option on offense.
Williams is also a solid shooter, shooting 59.7 percent from the floor and averaging 16.9 points while adding 9.8 rebounds for the Hornets this season.
The towering center is expected to slot straight into the starting unit as the Lakers expect him to progress on the same timeline as 25-year-old Doncic.
Williams also has ties to head coach JJ Redick, as the two shared a close relationship when the former Hornet was at Duke University, Redick’s alma mater.
However, while many will rejoice at the fact Los Angeles finally have a center, some fans have been quick to point out the red flags in the deal.
One issue with Williams is his availability– the 23-year-old has played in 84 out of 212 games for Charlotte in his two and half years in North Carolina.
Williams has suffered multiple injuries to his ankle, thumb, back and foot over the last three years, and has required surgery in the past.
“85 games played in 3 years. He makes Zion [Williamson] look durable,” one fan wrote on X, referencing the Pelicans All-Star who has had issues staying healthy his entire career.
“I’m concerned for sure,” one fan also posted on social media.
Although one fan expressed the need for the deal with the current market as it is, saying on X, “Guess it’s worth the risk when there’s literally no good centres available.”
Nevertheless, Los Angeles is confident in his medicals, according to ESPN, as the most recent back and foot injuries to Williams never required surgery.
The Lakers may move on the market again, as two are players leaving for Williams, meaning there is a roster spot available for a new addition.
In the meantime, the purple and gold will host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, a team that have also had drastic changes to their roster with the arrival of Jimmy Butler.
