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

[Chicagojk]

Wow interesting trade. Weird world...Reddish was also a part of the Luka draft day trade.

I have been questionalble about Knecht long term fit in the league. Now granted, I have not watched him much. Supposedly he is really bad on defense. He will probably take Green's spot and should have plenty of room to show what he can do. Williams is actually younger then Knecht too.

I have always like Williams (BTW my take a few years ago was Charlotte should have taken both bigs- Williams and Duren, when they had back to back picks). Yes he has been injured and he can be a little up and down. Catch him on the right night and he looks every bit as good as Lively. Now, I would not rate him and LIvely on the same stage, but he does give glimpses.

We will see if the Lakers have another move. Kleber has been discussed.

[Chicagojk]

Ha, I saw the Hornets got a pick swap as well. LOL. Speaking of which, Nico is pretty much betting against LUka on this trade. If so, he should have requested every pick swap the Lakers had too.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

edit: repost

[Chicagojk]

[Zach Lowe] I am predictably obsessed with the Mark Williams trade. Threw some extended (by social media standards) thoughts on Instagram, including the obvious and fraught links b/w this transaction and the Luka deal
WILDLY interesting trade, partly b/c of how it connects to Luka trade. CHA sold high after a month-ish of MW playing really well, obv concerned w/ durability+learning curve on D. Got Lakers best remaining draft assets (the ones they somehow didn't give up for Luka!) + Knecht. (Specifically -- the Lakers 2031 1st w/o any protections, and a 2030 pick swap. How did the Mavs not get at least one of these and/or Knecht? Ok, I'll stop.)

Yay for a previously short-sighted franchise in Charlotte adopting a long view! Williams is also extension-eligible this summer; cheapo rookie deal will be over in a blink.

But MW is barely 23, super bouncy, good character guy, and maybe very good at the basketball? At some point, you need to build a basketball team, right? Not just an asset collection? What must LaMelo be thinking? What should we be thinking about LaMelo's future?

Fit with Lakers is obvious -- Luka lob threat, needed size, ORB% off the charts (absolutely crazy 2nd and 3rd jump speed), defensive potential. It's an upside bet, and quite a big one given Lakers are now out tons of picks when Luka will be 30-plus.

But that's the key point: Lakers have justified belief getting a pissed off, motivated Luka at FREAKING AGE 25 insulates them from the kind of early 2030s downside -- lottery downside -- CHA would surely hope for in dealing a young player they like (Williams) and who appears to be amidst a big leap.

Dallas bet against Luka's longevity as a super-duper- max superstar player. CHA bet against (to some degree) Williams health/consistency/development. Lakers bet a lot on all that, including Knecht, not an afterthought here.

Both teams can justify the trade. Chances are, one will end up feeling at least a tinge of regret. If I'm a Charlotte fan, I'm a little sad to see a potential developmental success story go to the Lakers of all places. Oh well, nothing to do but...#trusttheprocess

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/zachlowenba.bsk...jfrktfxk2a

[Chicagojk]

On the other hand, you can make the case to Laker fans that they got Williams for free. I think most would have been thrilled giving up 31 and Knecht in the Luka trade.

[ThisIStheYear]

Lakers are real contenders now. This center fouls a lot but he’s good. Wingspan longer than Wemby. Excellent advanced stats. Luka will be hanging banners as soon as this summer. Good for him.

[vfromlmf]

I know Lebron called AD their best player but I don't know who the better power forward is. Lebron is certainly more versatile. Lebron is the better shooter, better passer, better initiator. Something tells be Lebron can still defend when needed. Plus Lebron is freaking Lebron. He plays with a level of force that can take your basketball soul. Lot of people in LA think Davis was soft.

Luka is certainly better than Kyrie.

Can Mark Williams do a reasonable impersonation of Gafford/Lively? at least pre-injury Powell?

I still need to see how these teams look on the floor but right now I can't confidently pick the current Mavs over the current Lakers. If you take the ball out of Kyrie's hands, this whole thing will rest on the decision making of who?? Naji Marshall? Dante Exum? Spencer?

[mvossman]

I know Lebron called AD their best player but I don't know who the better power forward is. Lebron is certainly more versatile. Lebron is the better shooter, better passer, better initiator. Something tells be Lebron can still defend when needed. Plus Lebron is freaking Lebron. He plays with a level of force that can take your basketball soul. Lot of people in LA think Davis was soft.

Luka is certainly better than Kyrie.

Can Mark Williams do a reasonable impersonation of Gafford/Lively? at least pre-injury Powell?

I still need to see how these teams look on the floor but right now I can't confidently pick the current Mavs over the current Lakers. If you take the ball out of Kyrie's hands, this whole thing will rest on the decision making of who?? Naji Marshall? Dante Exum? Spencer?

Lakers are a better fit right now than Mavs.  It definitely doesn't help that Lakers immediately went out and got a center to fit Luka's game while the Mavs traded away one of their better offensive players for damaged goods.  They were not even close before the trade with everyone healthy.