Does Mark Williams look injured to you? Did LA make the right decision? (Update: Traded to Phoenix)

[FrodoBaggins]

He's rounding back into form after a few mediocre games.

- 31 minutes played vs. DAL: 26 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 3 turnovers; 10-18 FG, 6-7 FT, 61.7% TS
- 34 minutes played vs. WAS: 24 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers; 11-14 FG, 2-2 FT, 80.7% TS

He's moving fairly well by my eye. Even if LA's issue was more durability in the long term, was it a mistake not to acquire him?

They've got a real chance to compete for a championship this season. The Luka-LeBron fit looks great (67.3% eFG for LeBron with Luka on-court + best shot quality from a teammate's passes ever; lineup numbers are very strong: [LeBron, Dončić, Rui, Hayes, Reaves]: 44 minutes played, 119.2 ORtg, 97.0 DRtg, +22.2 net rating, [LeBron, DFS, Dončić, Rui, Reaves]: 30 minutes played, 115.6 ORtg, 95.4 DRtg, +20.2 net rating) and they're only one game out of the 2nd seed.

Even with Mark's supposed defensive deficiencies, his offense and rebounding are that good he'd make an immediate impact. Was holding on to Dalton and that first-round pick really worth it? Imagine the numbers he'd be doing with Luka, LeBron, and Reaves feeding him. He's arguably the best offensive rim-running center in the league at the moment.

Check out this end-to-end play from tonight's game. Look at how fast he gets down the court:

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Highlights from both games:

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[RRR3]

Idk, they don't really need a guy who just scores...last I checked EPM has him first percentile in defense which is astoundingly bad, especially since iirc his D-EPM scores were fine prior to this year. I was high on Williams prior to this year but if his injuries have sapped his defensive ability, he essentially becomes Jonas Valanciunas, which is not really a player archetype I'd want personally. He is one of my favorite young players in the league, so I'm definitely not trying to **** on him, but it's concerning his defense has fallen off a cliff like that at 23

[zimpy27]

Trade wasn't rejected because of ability to play right now, Mark was able to play.

The issue was something that makes his long-term prospect look bad.

[axeman23]

There was talk about foot issues, which may or may not immediately show themselves. But when they DO... I say this as a Cavs fan that had to endure Big Z's "Will he or won't he play" career, that was a significant factor in hamstringing Lebron's first stint there...

[mediocrityrules]

Trade wasn't rejected because of ability to play right now, Mark was able to play.

The issue was something that makes his long-term prospect look bad.

It's not like the Lakers have a ten year window right now. They should be putting in the best team for now, not for 3-4 years from now.

[MrGoat]

I'd actually seen him play once last season against the Mavs and made a mental note that he would work very well with Luka if we didn't already have Dereck Lively, who like Mark Williams currently has one of the top 7 longest wingspans in the league and isn't a slug. His defense is fixable if you take him off the Hornets and put him on a good team. If the concerns weren't completely based on catastrophic future health projections then I think the Lakers made a mistake, he's a very tradable asset at the very least at this point

[zimpy27]

Trade wasn't rejected because of ability to play right now, Mark was able to play.

The issue was something that makes his long-term prospect look bad.

It's not like the Lakers have a ten year window right now. They should be putting in the best team for now, not for 3-4 years from now.

Well they were planning to extend him in offseason as a pairing for Luka. They are thinking 5 years and obviously don't think he is likely to play much in those 5 years.

[UcanUwill]

Trade wasn't rejected because of ability to play right now, Mark was able to play.

The issue was something that makes his long-term prospect look bad.

Came to say this. That said, we have seen players play at high level decade more after they failed trade physical. Motiejūnas for example. So, maybe in time Williams will prove Lakers wrong, but its too early to tell.

[Barnzy]

He's giving 67% DFG up at the rim. Bottom 10% percentile in the whole league. I've watched him a bit post trade and he might be the worst paint defender I've ever seen when you factor in his physical gifts. He seems to excel at jumping out the way of the the offensive player or falling for pump fakes allowing easy lay ins.

Would've been a big upgrade on the boards and offense. But I am glad they didn't give up a first round pick and a guy just picked in the 1st. I don't know about the health stuff but the player I have serious question marks on playing winning basketball. His box scores look good though.

For all the jokes about Hayes, he is giving up 53% DFG at the rim in comparision.

[Lalouie]

Trade wasn't rejected because of ability to play right now, Mark was able to play.

The issue was something that makes his long-term prospect look bad.

i thought this was suposed to be a quick fix for no davis
given his injury there was no way williams was a long term signup

lakers were looking for a body to replace ad, yes?

[zimpy27]

Trade wasn't rejected because of ability to play right now, Mark was able to play.

The issue was something that makes his long-term prospect look bad.

i thought this was suposed to be a quick fix for no davis
given his injury there was no way williams was a long term signup

lakers were looking for a body to replace ad, yes?

No, Luka requested a lob threat. Lakers thought this would be a good long-term pairing to help convince Luka to stay.

They wouldn't pay all they did for a quick AD replacement.

[UcanUwill]

Trade wasn't rejected because of ability to play right now, Mark was able to play.

The issue was something that makes his long-term prospect look bad.

i thought this was suposed to be a quick fix for no davis
given his injury there was no way williams was a long term signup

lakers were looking for a body to replace ad, yes?

He supposed to be both, right? You don't give up substantial assets like that for half a season worth of quick fix.

I liked Williams, but after the trade, I started hearing all his defensive metrics, which are apparently awful, so I started to have doubts too, and maybe cancelling the trade will be the best long term decision for the Lakers, but who knows, a lot of players would play with different effort level on this Lakers team, than Charlotte. Last year, a lot of Hornets fans claimed PJ Washington was trash, and then he became important part of the finals run.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Question: How does one fail a physical from one team but is able to play with his old team? Wouldn’t he have to pass a physical from his old team in order to play again?

[Ssj16]

Question: How does one fail a physical from one team but is able to play with his old team? Wouldn’t he have to pass a physical from his old team in order to play again?

Under the old team he's under contract so it probably won't an issue until Williams is trying to negotiate his next contract.

[Kingdibs19]

OP is right. They should’ve pulled the trigger. Dalton kinda sucks. Good 3 point shooter but streaky and turnstile on defence. He’s getting 0 minutes in the playoffs and that pick will be trash with Luka as a Laker.

[ORLMagicGirl15]

Question: How does one fail a physical from one team but is able to play with his old team? Wouldn’t he have to pass a physical from his old team in order to play again?

Under the old team he's under contract so it probably won't an issue until Williams is trying to negotiate his next contract.

If he is too injured to play with the Lakers, how is he healthy enough to play with the Hornets? Renegotiation or not, if he’s injured to the point that he cannot pass a physical, he shouldn’t be playing. If he’s not injured…

[Big J]

Trade wasn't rejected because of ability to play right now, Mark was able to play.

The issue was something that makes his long-term prospect look bad.

No, trade was rejected because Lakers realized they made a bad trade and they wanted out.

[JustBuzzin]

Flagg will be a Hornets for this so it doesn't bother me. Lakers misses out on a good young center. It is what it is.

[LakersSoul]

MW provides some O but its real tricky with him.

Lakers really need defensive center and ones that are athletic enough to lob.

MW has potential but the injuries are real worrisome and he is almost up for extension. With so many concerns, if the physical exposed any new items, its got to be a solid no.

The trade was already at least iffy.

Think Lakers can develop Knecht under JJ.
Think Lakers can get a better center over summer.
Think Lakers can draft a solid center.

[Bloodbather]

He's giving 67% DFG up at the rim. Bottom 10% percentile in the whole league. I've watched him a bit post trade and he might be the worst paint defender I've ever seen when you factor in his physical gifts. He seems to excel at jumping out the way of the the offensive player or falling for pump fakes allowing easy lay ins.

Would've been a big upgrade on the boards and offense. But I am glad they didn't give up a first round pick and a guy just picked in the 1st. I don't know about the health stuff but the player I have serious question marks on playing winning basketball. His box scores look good though.

For all the jokes about Hayes, he is giving up 53% DFG at the rim in comparision.

Funny thing is that he was supposed to be a defensive prospect.