Hornets talking with NBA to challenge Lakers' failed physical on Mark Williams

How Doncic’s and James’ opinions align on Hayes would be the first take a look at of their partnership that would final months or go on for years, relying on how the remainder of this season pans out. What is evident is that Doncic will have a say. And it wasn’t lost on James’ camp, sources said, that Pelinka prioritized Doncic’s involvement upon his arrival and immediately engaged in the Williams trade that he’d asked for, when James had for years wanted the team to trade its picks to improve its roster. -via ESPN / February 10, 2025

Former NBA level guard Jeff Teague knew one thing didn’t scent proper from the beginning. Earlier than the Lakers rescinded the commerce, Teague mentioned on his “Membership 520” podcast that the Hornets will need to have recognized one thing about Williams’ medical scenario that they weren’t disclosing. In any other case, Teague felt the commerce made no sense for Charlotte. “They got finessed, for sure. Mark Williams is a young big, but he’s always hurt,” Teague said. “So they like, ‘F–, we can get off this.’ They know something we don’t know, you know what I mean? You don’t just give up a big center, a young center averaging 15 (points) and damn near 10 (rebounds). It’s something they know that we don’t. That hip f–ed up, for real, you know what I mean? Like, he can get through it, but it ain’t gonna last long.” -via Larry Brown Sports / February 10, 2025

The workforce’s potential to pivot from Williams shall be vital for this group’s probabilities, and limiting the fallout will enable L.A. to revive the momentum it has been constructing within the brief time period. As for the long run, with out Williams however with Knecht and the 2031 first-round decide? “That was a lot [to give up],” a team source said. “We kind of dodged a bullet.” -via ESPN / February 10, 2025