Return to Sender: The Mark Williams Thread

[EmpireFalls]

As most of said this all comes down to whether or not Mark can get fully healthy enough to start to add strength and conditioning back to his game. The talent is obviously there and the size is unquestionable. And it's an incredible fit with Luka.

For now I'm trying to put my faith in the new front office they were really patient with him the end of last year and over the summer. They didn't go out and try to draft a center this summer when we had two really good options on the board. They didn't try to trade or sign a starting center. They kept talking about how he was a huge part of the team moving forward. I'm assuming they saw something between then and now that gave them a lot of concern for his durability or long-term outlook.

I would like to believe it was simply more than just he didn't fit the scheme that the coach was trying to use. I do think some changes in scheme had some impact on his a defense this year.

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I just find it hard to put faith in a front office that has made 4 big moves since arrriving:

1) trading for Josh Green, and 3 years/$14m annually
2) drafting Tidjane Salaun #6, I mean, egad
3) re signing Miles Bridges
4) trading Mark Williams for Knecht and a pick 6 years from now

It’s easy to tear things down. But bringing in Green and Salaun as their first ever moves suggests that they have no clue how to build it back.

[yosemiteben]

As most of said this all comes down to whether or not Mark can get fully healthy enough to start to add strength and conditioning back to his game. The talent is obviously there and the size is unquestionable. And it's an incredible fit with Luka.

For now I'm trying to put my faith in the new front office they were really patient with him the end of last year and over the summer. They didn't go out and try to draft a center this summer when we had two really good options on the board. They didn't try to trade or sign a starting center. They kept talking about how he was a huge part of the team moving forward. I'm assuming they saw something between then and now that gave them a lot of concern for his durability or long-term outlook.

I would like to believe it was simply more than just he didn't fit the scheme that the coach was trying to use. I do think some changes in scheme had some impact on his a defense this year.

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

I just find it hard to put faith in a front office that has made 4 big moves since arrriving:

1) trading for Josh Green, and 3 years/$14m annually
2) drafting Tidjane Salaun #6, I mean, egad
3) re signing Miles Bridges
4) trading Mark Williams for Knecht and a pick 6 years from now

It’s easy to tear things down. But bringing in Green and Salaun as their first ever moves suggests that they have no clue how to build it back.

Bringing in Green was a great piece of business, they literally gave up nothing to get him.

Resigning Miles Bridges was a good piece of business, his contract de-escalates and it was much better than losing him for nothing.

I get that people don't like Salaun right now, but it is still kind of crazy to judge him as a definitive mistake so early in his career.

Also, to be fair, the owners are clearly involved in setting strategy here, and that brought in Mann, Grant, Micic, and 2 1sts.

[Braggins]

The one good thing about this trade if you are a fan of Mark Williams is that this is almost undoubtedly better for his career than staying in Charlotte and its going to be wild as hell watching him catch lobs from Luka and Lebron.

If the Lakers are healthy they could be a real threat this season.

starters: Luka ~ Reaves ~ DFS ~ Lebron ~ Mark
bench5: Vincent ~ Milton ~ Vanderbilt ~ Rui ~ Hayes

[luciano-davidwesley]

Hi guys! from Lakers fanbase.

Most of the Lakers fanbase think we overpaid since we gave up our FRP Knecht, 2030 unprotected FRP, 2031 swap. Knecht is a 3 level scorer and a pure deadeye shooter. The only problem with Knecht was his D and focus learning his role on both O and D. However, recently he has been playing with more heart on D. I believe the Lakers needed an impact player now and esp at center spot so he had to be dealt.


As you might know, Lakers really needed a center after trading AD, and even before trading AD it was a need. Think you guys did well to sell high on Mark on Lakers desperation. Many want to trade for Kessler or Turner or even a stopgap player like Sharpe. But the FO wanted to keep our current players and go after a better timeline guy that matches Luka. On Mark, I like what I see but he is a bit skinny and looks a bit fragile. We will see how the chance in scenery impacts the kid. Its gonna be tricky to decide on Mark this and next year as he become RFA and still has lingering injuries that making him a bit sluggish compared to Duke days. Big risk but also solid ceiling too.

If you look at what Fox, Butler, Ingram returned, I think you guys did extremely well with an unproven/less proven player injured multiple spots. Again, lot of risk and good ceiling reward but Lakers gave up a lot for fringe starter on a good playoff team. Hope he improves and proves me wrong.

Good luck this year and the rebuild.

I know you're trying to be polite here but you're coming across pretty condescending. We did not get some great haul for Mark. Dalton is going to be just a guy and the pick will almost certainly be a late one. The swap likely won't convey.

Please don't try to make us feel like we should be ecstatic over a meh deal.

Why would you be ecstatic over trading your starting center for Lakers 8th player?

I just wanted to provide some feedback on who Knecht is since some wondered about him. I like this trade for the Lakers as we needed a center but the risk is Mark's health, no doubt. We know we got the better player but he is also Lakers 4th or 5th best player if health for the year.

Even generalchat thinks the Hornet won the trade. 129 to 101

I appreciate your response. I think if healthy Mark will comfortably be at least your fourth best player.

I don't care what the general board thinks, 95% of other fans don't ever watch Hornets games whereas the Lakers are force fed down most people's throats on national TV regularly.

[LakersSoul]

I know you're trying to be polite here but you're coming across pretty condescending. We did not get some great haul for Mark. Dalton is going to be just a guy and the pick will almost certainly be a late one. The swap likely won't convey.

Please don't try to make us feel like we should be ecstatic over a meh deal.

Why would you be ecstatic over trading your starting center for Lakers 8th player?

I just wanted to provide some feedback on who Knecht is since some wondered about him. I like this trade for the Lakers as we needed a center but the risk is Mark's health, no doubt. We know we got the better player but he is also Lakers 4th or 5th best player if health for the year.

Even generalchat thinks the Hornet won the trade. 129 to 101

I appreciate your response. I think if healthy Mark will comfortably be at least your fourth best player.

I don't care what the general board thinks, 95% of other fans don't ever watch Hornets games whereas the Lakers are force fed down most people's throats on national TV regularly.

Yeah but unfortunately that’s what attracts most viewership esp with Bron and Luka playing.

[MPM]

Had a dream last night that Mark failed his Lakers physical.

[NMBSurfin]

Mark says goodbye to the Hornets on Instagram

"Buzz City,

Thank you for embracing me with open arms from the moment Adam Silver called my name. The love I’ve felt here has been incredible. Despite being a kid from Virginia Beach, in countless ways, I grew up in North Carolina. From being an elementary school kid watching my sister in Cameron Indoor, to my own two seasons at Duke, to getting drafted and finding out I was heading to Charlotte, every step of this way the people of North Carolina have shown me nothing but love. It has been a true privilege to begin my career in a state that has meant so much to me and my family.

"A huge thank you to the Hornets organization or taking a chance on me and making my dream of becoming an NBA player a reality. Getting that call I was going to be a Charlotte Hornet changed my life, and I will forever appreciate these years. To my teammates — my guys — you made me better day in and out, you’re my brothers for life. And to the coaching staff, trainers, equipment staff, security, team attendants, and chefs, thank you for your support and investment in me as an athlete, and a human. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to begin my NBA career.

"That said, i’m excited for the next chapter of my journey in Los Angeles. Laker fans you’re getting a kid who is ready to work, and hungry to win. I’m grateful and excited for all to come!"

[amcoolio]

It’s clear the team loves Diabate and feels he gives them the best chance going forward, if last night was any indication.

[KembaWalker]

It’s clear the team loves Diabate and feels he gives them the best chance going forward, if last night was any indication.

Nurk gonna have another toxic meltdown when he gets here and Moussa is playing over him
(i hope)

[JustBuzzin]

Nurk has talent he just sucks and doesn't know how to use it.

[Braggins]

I bet the Lakers announcer hasn't even memorized the wikipedia page for condors like we all know Eric Collins has...

[EmpireFalls]

Yeah I refuse to come around on this trade. We messed up big time.

[LoveMyRaps]

I can't believe y'all traded my boy Mark man.

He was special.

Sure he wasn't the best defensively but he was only 23 and was finally starting to come into his own.

Hornets had one of the best young cores w/ Melo, Miller, & Mark, and were set to add another prized prospect from this upcoming draft.

Not a fan of this trade, at all.

[JustBuzzin]

The real loss was not getting Reaves.

I probably would have threw in NSJ with Mark to get Reaves back. That's just me.

[MasterIchiro]

Reaves is nice but about to become unaffordable on his next contract.

Knecht is on year one of his and posting TS% of .598 with a playoff team, including 12 starts.

He's worth more than Reaves and fits our budget.

Knecht has starter upside and no defense. Mark is all offense and still a starter.

Teams can't afford to lose defense at C. Much harder to cover for a paint turnstile than a POA turnstile.

[HornetJail]

there was zero chance the Lakers were ever sending us Reaves. Whether they're right about it or not, it sounds like they'd value him higher than Mark. Imagine how disgusted we'd be if we paid assets to turn Mark into Reaves

the real fail is Dallas not getting Reaves in the Luka trade

[Diop]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

[Diop]

This worries me more than the trade.

I’m guessing the back is ****

[Bassman]

Read on Twitter

?s=46

W. H. A. T. ?????

[Braggins]

Oh no he might really be **** up...