Mark Williams breaks silence on failed trade to LA Lakers, hours ahead of Hornets game, ‘I feel…’

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams has broken his silence on his failed trade to the LA Lakers.

Mark Williams belonged to the LA Lakers for approximately 72 hours. The storied franchise traded with the Charlotte Hornets for his services prior to the trade deadline, only to stun the league, by deciding to rescind the trade.

Williams’ dreams were crushed in an instant, sent back to Charlotte, while the Lakers reclaimed Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and their 2031 first round pick.

The star center had not actually returned to the Hornets at the start of the week, taking time to process the trade, before reporting in, and travelling with the team to take on the Lakers, a potentially dramatic first game back.

Mark Williams had kept his silence until now, speaking to the Charlotte Observer to address the situation.

Williams said that at no point during his physical with the Lakers did he believe he had failed, or that it was even a possibility.

He explained: “I didn’t think I had failed my physical. 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.

“Since I’ve been back at the start of the year, I’ve played games with a lot of minutes. I feel like every injury I’ve had has been well-documented and I’ve recovered, and been 100 per cent since.”

“So, I don’t know what went into that decision. I think that’s up to them.”

Williams had missed around a year of action before returning in December, and has played 23 games in total the season.

The LA Lakers have moved on, despite their clear need to sign a center, with Williams claimed to be recommended by new arrival Luka Doncic.

They signed former Sacramento Kings center Alex Len as a free agent, a stop gap, who will be a back-up to Jaxson Hayes.

Hayes has returned from injury and will be available to face Charlotte, while Williams is listed as probable for the game.

The game is taking place in LA, where Williams was ready to don the purple and gold. Instead he will hope to be able to show the Lakers what they are missing, and try to embarrass them.