The Los Angeles Lakers rescinded a trade for Mark Williams at the 2025 deadline after he failed a physical, and that decision was proven right when he missed the Suns’ Play-In Game against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. LA was worried about his lower body. His left foot cost him several games this season and the injury popped back up at the worst possible time.
Williams played in the Suns’ first Play-In game and had a nightmare performance. He finished with four points, four rebounds, and three blocks in 22 minutes, but the Suns lost his playing time. Phoenix kept him off the floor in crunch time, and this injury may have been why. Ultimately, the Blazers snagged the seventh seed and forced the Suns into a must-win on Friday night.
The Lakers knew the injuries were a problem, and it forced them to rescind this trade. There was plenty of criticism afterward. Many thought LA had buyer’s remorse after giving up multiple draft picks for the big man. Instead, the Lakers were proven right for worrying about his foot.
Mark Williams proves Lakers right by missing biggest game of the season
It was a win-or-go-home contest for the Suns on Friday night. There was no question that it was their biggest game of the season, and Williams was ruled out about 90 minutes before tipoff with left foot soreness.
The Lakers made the trade with Charlotte, and the Hornets were upset that LA rescinded the deal after the deadline. It forced Williams back to Charlotte and returned Dalton Knecht to the purple and gold. The Hornets traded the 7’1 big man to the Suns in the offseason.
Williams averaged 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 23.6 minutes per game this season. He appeared in 60 contests with the Suns doing everything possible to keep him healthy. They were limiting his playing time and making sure to rest him. Still, Williams had to sit out the biggest game of the year.
The Lakers were right to rescind this trade. The 24-year-old big man is already dealing with repeated issues with his left foot. That is unlikely to get better for a 7’1 big man as he ages.
Los Angeles is searching for the center of the present and future next to Luka Doncic. Williams was not the answer, and his physical with the Lakers made that clear. It took courage to rescind the trade, but Williams keeps proving Rob Pelinka and Los Angeles’ front office right.
The Lakers are still searching for their starting center. They signed Deandre Ayton for this season, but he isn’t the long-term option. It should be the front office’s top offseason priority in building around number 77.
The Los Angeles Lakers were proven right to rescind the Mark Williams trade by his latest foot injury. The 7’1 big man sat out the Suns' most important game of the season. LA knew it was a problem and forced them to nix the trade. Fans know the Lakers are telling the rival Suns they tried to warn them.
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