The Los Angeles Lakers have lastly recognized their latest middle of their future.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the franchise obtains large man Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in trade for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and their unprotected 2031 first-round decide, and a 2030 decide swap.
This transfer serves as the most recent for the Lakers only a few days after they surprised your complete world by sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic.
Now set to maneuver on with out Davis, the Lakers at the moment are on a determined lookout about the potential for including one other middle. The hunt couldn’t be extra pressing contemplating their depleted frontcourt marred by accidents.
From this, gaining the service of Williams is significantly promising from Rob Pelinka.
The third-year large man is savoring a profession season, averaging 16.0 factors, 9.8 boards, 2.5 dimes, and 1.2 blocks. He’s additionally capturing an environment friendly 59.7 % from the sphere.
Though the well being of Williams has been questionable during which he solely appeared in 22 video games to this point this 12 months, the Lakers are reportedly compelled and thrilled about his addition.
His touchdown in Los Angeles is solely a dream come true for Williams.
Lower than an hour when the deal broke out between the Lakers and the Hornets, Williams immediately stirred the social media circle of the L.A. fanbase with an intriguing X put up that merely exhibits his pleasure about becoming a member of the ball membership.
Williams is slated for a big-time alternative of being a Laker. He’ll be the primary companion of Doncic within the crew’s extremely anticipated pick-and-roll artistry of the celebrity.
As such, he’s additionally anticipated to hold a serious burden of accountability in anchoring the crew’s inside presence and defensive space — enormous sneakers to fill which Davis embraced over the previous six years in Los Angeles.
Drafted because the fifteenth total decide of the 2022 NBA Draft, Williams will change into eligible for rookie scale extension within the upcoming offseason. And for the quantity that the Lakers gave up simply to amass him, likelihood is excessive that he’ll get re-signed.