Phoenix Suns big man Mark Williams almost became a Laker last February, but a trade that was set to send him to Los Angeles was ultimately called off. Now, Williams has finally broken his silence over the controversial rescinding of that deal.
Reacting to the failed transaction between his former team, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Lakers, Williams had an unfiltered way of expressing his emotions. During a recent appearance on “The Old Man and the Three” podcast, he said, “Honestly, like, f*ck y’all. I was excited to go there. I thought I was like a piece that could really help them.”
Williams also revealed that his frustration with the way things unfolded was behind his trolling of the Lakers during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. “Obviously, going into the playoffs, and then once they lost, obviously, I tweeted a little smiley face. Like, I was—I was hating. I was hating. I was hating,” he admitted.
The trade in question involved Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, and future draft picks heading to the Hornets in exchange for Williams. However, the deal collapsed after Williams failed his physical.
Despite the setback, the former Duke Blue Devils big man eventually found his way to another team. In the summer, the Hornets traded him to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for a future pick, Vasilije Micic, and Liam McNeeley.
Although nearly a year has passed since the trade was rescinded, Williams still clearly harbors strong feelings about the situation. Playing for the Lakers would have been ideal for his career, given the prestige associated with joining a historic and big-market franchise like Los Angeles.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-mark-williams-drops-blunt-reaction-recinding-trade