Despite not making any changes to the roster over the summer, the Los Angeles Lakers have shown significant improvements this season, proving that they are worth investing in.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has clearly noticed that as he made his first trade in nearly two years in December, bringing in Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets.
While Finney-Smith has been a nice addition as a 3-and-D wing, he does not address arguably the Lakers’ biggest need which is the center position.
Going back to the offseason, head coach JJ Redick and Anthony Davis both expressed their desire for the team to acquire another center. Then leading up to the deadline, Davis made his opinion on the subject very clearly, bluntly stating that he wants the Lakers to acquire another center so he can play power forward as he often did during the 2019-20 championship season.
The Lakers then proceeded to flip all of their plans on its head, trading Davis of all people in a blockbuster deal for Luka Doncic.
While Doncic gives the Lakers a franchise cornerstone to build around for years to come, their need for a center become even more glaring after the trade. Pelinka stated as such at Doncic’s introductory press conference, although he did note that finding one is easier said than done.
The Lakers have been linked to a number of different centers in recent weeks and they ramped up their efforts to land one after bringing in Doncic. It appears they have finally done so as according to Shams Charania of ESPN, L.A. is acquiring Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in a deal involving Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and draft compensation:
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. pic.twitter.com/QGUwETssGd
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025
This is not a cheap price for the Lakers as they are giving up essentially all of their remaining assets, including Knecht, their first round rookie that the organization is high on.
Williams may be worth the cost though as the 2022 15th overall pick of the Hornets out of Duke is in the midst of a career season. In 22 games (19 starts), the 7-footer has averaged 16.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
At 23 years of age, Williams gives the Lakers a center and lob threat to pair with Doncic moving into the future. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract at a very cheap price. He also becomes extension eligible this offseason.
While it’s tough to lose Knecht and their future first round pick, the Lakers clearly are going for it in hopes of contending for a title this season and beyond. Williams has dealt with back injuries in past but is currently healthy and the Lakers obviously felt comfortable enough to make this trade, which also opens up a roster spot.
LeBron James was shocked to learn about Lakers’ trade for Luka Doncic
The Lakers’ blockbuster trade with the Mavericks for Luka Doncic shocked the entire world, and that includes LeBron James. According to reports, he was out to dinner in New York after the team’s win over the Knicks and was surprised when he learned the trade was happening.
James has long been an admirer of Doncic although obviously has a very close relationship with Anthony Davis as well, so it had to been a strange feeling to learn that they were dealt for each other in a trade that shook the whole NBA landscape. To his credit though, James called Doncic immediately after the trade went down to welcome him to L.A.
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