The Los Angeles Lakers were a passed physical away from building one of the best rosters in the NBA. In just over a month, Los Angeles completed trades for Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Mark Williams, with the return of Jarred Vanderbilt going hand-in-hand with the on-paper improvement.
Unfortunately, Williams failed his physical, the trade was thus rescinded, and the Lakers were left without a distinguishable center to round out the starting lineup.
It's one of the most bizarre trade sagas in recent memory, as the headlines devolved from the stars aligning to a stunning supernova. Not much has been said since the fateful trade fell through, despite many pondering what exactly went wrong.
According to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer, Williams finally broke his silence and shared his own uncertainty over what went wrong.
"I didn't think I had failed my physical," Williams said. "That didn't even cross my mind. The night I got traded I played hella minutes. I didn't think in any world that was possible."
Williams continued:
"Since I've been back at the start of the year, I've played games with a lot of minutes," Williams continued. "I feel like every injury I've had has been well-documented and I've recovered, and been 100% since. So, I don't know what went into that decision. I think that's up to them."
Williams' comments add more confusion to an already baffling situation, but the fact that his silence was broken is an encouraging sign that more details could be provided down the line.
Mark Williams is just as confused as the rest of us over Lakers trade
Williams, 23, is one of the most exciting young players in the Association. The No. 15 overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft, he's carved out a place as a productive and downright explosive center who can post big numbers in a hurry.
Thus far in 2024-25, Williams is averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.3 offensive boards, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks in just 25.0 minutes per game.
Those numbers translate to 22.4 points, 13.8 rebounds, 4.7 offensive boards, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes. With this in mind, it's easy to see why so many were intrigued by how Williams would fit alongside the likes of Doncic and LeBron James.
Unfortunately, that dream became a nightmare when a failed physical caused the trade to fall apart and left Los Angeles without a replacement for Anthony Davis.
As fate would have it, the Lakers will play Williams and the Charlotte Hornets in the first game since the All-Star break. It's certain to be a tense encounter, with Williams likely looking to make a statement at Los Angeles' expense.
The Lakers, however, will have a healthy Luka Doncic playing without a minutes restriction for the first time since he was acquired.
Silver linings acknowledged, one can't help but wonder what could've been. Williams is a force of nature along the offensive interior with the physical attributes to develop into a high-level shot-blocker and all-around defender.
Perhaps one day we'll know exactly what went wrong to prevent Williams from becoming the next in a long line of great Lakers centers.