"Entered the NBA Finals conversation" - NBA insider and Lakers fans hyped to get $18M center as Luka Doncic's pick and roll partner for Dalton Knecht
The LA Lakers finally found a center in the trade market after acquiring Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets, pairing him up with their blockbuster addition Luka Doncic. The Lakers parted ways with 2024 first-round pick Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, their unprotected 2031 first-round pick, along with a pick swap.
The Lakers needed a center entering the season. It became even more of a glaring hole after the team traded superstar Anthony Davis for Doncic. Williams, who is on a four-year $18,001,011 rookie deal, will fill that role for LA. Williams is in his third NBA season.
He's averaging career-highs across the board, tallying 16.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, shooting 59.7% from the floor in 22 games, starting 19 times for the Hornets.
With the Lakers finally adding the biggest missing piece on this iteration of their team with Luka Doncic, fans were hyped as one fan wrote:
"ROB PELINKA COOKED"
Insider Kevin O'Connor also joined the Lakers fanbase in hailing this acquisition, saying:
"The Lakers have entered the NBA Finals conversation. Mark Williams is awesome."
Another said:
"PELINKA IS HIMMMMM"
More reactions below:
Lakers discussed with Luka Doncic what kind of center he wanted to play with
Despite his trade finalizing less than a week ago, Luka Doncic and the Lakers are already collaborating on the roster needs. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers huddled with Doncic to discuss their need for a starting caliber center after Anthony Davis' departure.
Doncic impressed upon the front office brass certain skills he needs in a pick-and-roll partner, a huge part of his offensive game, and Mark Williams fits that mold.
"After huddling with Luka Doncic after the trade, he impressed upon Lakers’ brass his desire to play with a lob threat, mobile big whose vertical spacing gives Doncic another option when making his reads, sources told ESPN," McMenamin tweeted.
Mark Williams also reunites with Lakers rookie coach JJ Redick. The former Duke prospect was mentored by the program's legend, Redick, during his time in college. Williams, 23, is a piece that could be with the Lakers long-term in the Luka Doncic era.
LA now only has two players 30 or older, including Dorian Finney-Smith (31) and LeBron James (40), giving it a young core to compete for championships in the foreseeable future with Doncic as the leader.