The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Mark Williams at the 2025 deadline only for the deal to be rescinded because of a failed physical. LA is still searching for their starting center next to Luka Doncic, but nixing this trade looks wise as Valley of the Suns expert Luke Duffy predicted the big man won’t be back in Phoenix next season.
Lakers fans can’t be shocked because it was a disastrous end to the year for Williams. He struggled in the first Play-In Game before an injury knocked him out for the entire first-round playoff series. It was the same foot injury that sidelined him during the regular season. The injuries and uncertainty already had the purple and gold looking wise, and that will only grow if the Suns decide to move on.
Phoenix gave up two first-round draft picks to land Williams from Charlotte. The Suns didn’t have the same injury concerns, but they limited his minutes this season. It led to the 24-year-old playing a career-high 60 games. Sadly, the foot issues popped up at the worst possible time, and Phoenix is left questioning the best course of action as Williams heads into restricted free agency.
Lakers are about to look even smarter for rescinding Mark Williams trade
The 24-year-old big man had never played more than 44 games in a season before this year. He has dealt with several injuries in his first four NBA seasons. The Lakers were clearly scared off by what they saw in his physical, and the Suns should be too ahead of contract negotiations.
Williams will be a restricted free agent, but Phoenix drafted Khaman Maluach with the tenth overall pick in 2025. Suns fans have to think Maluach is the future at the position for Phoenix, even if he is not ready for a starting role in year two. If some team makes a strong offer to Williams, the Suns may decline to match and move on.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks detailed the Williams situation and believes the big man’s best bet is signing a bigger deal with injury protections. With the Suns' problematic cap situation after waiving-and-stretching Bradley Beal, that offer may come from another team.
The Lakers need a long-term center to pair with Luka Doncic. Number 77 made that wish clear the moment he arrived in LA. Fans know Doncic can make any big man look good by feeding him lobs.
Los Angeles is lucky they didn’t give up Dalton Knecht and multiple draft picks to land Williams. If they did, the Lakers would have the same problem and fewer assets to solve it.
Lakers fans will keep a close eye on the Mark Williams situation this offseason. It will be fascinating to see if Williams can land a massive contract or if his health concerns limit him. It is not Los Angeles’ problem, but fans should be intrigued to see if Rob Pelinka and the front office made the right move.
The Los Angeles Lakers continue to look smarter for nixing the Mark Williams trade. He has still never appeared in the playoffs as a foot injury derailed his season at the worst possible time. Now, the 7’1 big man may be done in Phoenix. If that is the case, the Suns vastly overpaid for one season of production, and the Lakers will be laughing at the blunder they narrowly avoided.
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