The Lakers’ canceled Mark Williams trade haunts them right away.

In the high-stakes world of NBA trades, every move—or lack thereof—can be pivotal. Decisions made in the heat of the moment can shape the trajectory of a franchise for years to come. One of the most striking examples of this is the Los Angeles Lakers’ ill-fated decision to cancel a trade for Charlotte Hornets’ center Mark Williams. Initially on the verge of acquiring the promising young big man to address their frontcourt needs, the Lakers’ change of heart would quickly come to haunt them as the season unfolded.

Mark Williams, a towering 7-foot center from Duke, was touted as one of the most promising young prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft, offering exceptional rim protection, rebounding, and an ability to run the floor with ease. At the time of the potential trade, the Lakers were hoping to add some much-needed depth in the center position, particularly with Anthony Davis’ recurring injury history and the Lakers’ thin bench.

However, after initial discussions, the trade was suddenly scrapped. For the Lakers, this moment would prove to be a critical turning point. As the season progressed, the absence of a true center and the reliance on undersized or injury-prone players at the five spot became a glaring issue for the Lakers, impacting their performance in crucial games. Meanwhile, Mark Williams went on to have a stellar start to his NBA career with the Hornets, further intensifying the Lakers’ regret.

This decision, and its immediate ramifications, underscore a larger issue facing the Lakers: the balancing act between short-term decisions and long-term strategy. The canceled trade for Williams was a microcosm of a broader dilemma for the Lakers, who were desperately seeking to contend for a championship but failed to address foundational needs in a manner that would sustain their success over the long haul. The missed opportunity to acquire Williams not only exposed the Lakers’ lack of depth in the middle but also raised questions about the team’s overall roster-building philosophy and their ability to capitalize on critical opportunities.

The Lakers’ Need for a True Center

At the time of the proposed trade, the Lakers had clear needs in their frontcourt. Although they had one of the best players in the league in LeBron James and a versatile big man in Anthony Davis, their center position was a glaring weakness. Davis had shown that he could be dominant at the center position when healthy, but his injury history and reluctance to stay in the post for long periods meant that the Lakers could not rely on him as their full-time five. This forced them to rely on undersized centers or veterans on the decline, none of whom could provide consistent, quality minutes in the paint.

In the 2022-2023 season, the Lakers tried various experiments to plug the hole at the center position. Dwight Howard had left the team after a brief return to Taiwan, and DeAndre Jordan’s time in Los Angeles had ended with a lack of impact. While the Lakers tried out players like Thomas Bryant and Damian Jones in the middle, neither could be counted on to provide the kind of defensive consistency or rebounding dominance the Lakers needed in the postseason. The Lakers’ championship aspirations were hindered by a lack of depth at one of the most important positions on the floor.

Enter Mark Williams.

Williams, coming off an impressive college career at Duke, was a consensus top-tier prospect for teams in need of a true center. With his impressive shot-blocking ability, rebounding prowess, and a soft touch around the rim, he was seen as a player who could step in immediately and fill a starting role for a team that needed size and defense. Not only did Williams possess physical tools—standing 7 feet tall with a 7-foot-6 wingspan—but he also showed an ability to run the floor, finish at the rim, and contribute in pick-and-roll situations, making him a perfect complement to a team like the Lakers.

For the Lakers, Williams seemed like the ideal candidate to shore up their frontcourt and allow Anthony Davis to play more comfortably at power forward. Adding a player with Williams’ defensive instincts and athleticism would free Davis to focus on offense while still maintaining the Lakers’ commitment to rim protection. Williams’ potential as a future defensive anchor was something the Lakers coveted.

The Trade That Never Was

At the height of the 2022-2023 season, the Lakers were actively seeking upgrades to bolster their roster. With LeBron James continuing to perform at an elite level and Anthony Davis showing flashes of his old defensive dominance, the Lakers were poised for a playoff run. However, the team was still hampered by inconsistent performances from their role players and a significant lack of frontcourt depth.

The trade for Mark Williams was seen as a critical move that could potentially push the Lakers over the top. According to reports, the deal was nearing completion, and Williams seemed ready to make the leap to Los Angeles. However, as often happens in the NBA, trade talks stalled. At the 11th hour, the Lakers decided to pull back from the deal, citing concerns about the assets involved and their long-term roster strategy. This decision would soon prove to be costly.

Rather than address the glaring issue at center, the Lakers opted for a more conservative approach, holding onto their young assets and opting for a series of smaller moves. But as the 2023 season continued, it became increasingly apparent that the Lakers’ frontcourt issues were not going away. With Davis continuing to battle injury issues and their lack of depth at the five position exposed, the Lakers’ decision to pass on Williams began to haunt them.

The Immediate Consequences

After the trade fell apart, the Lakers’ struggles at center persisted. While Davis continued to be an elite player, his injury woes kept him from being available for long stretches, forcing the Lakers to rely on players like Thomas Bryant, who was often outmatched against more physical centers. The lack of rim protection and rebounding began to show up in critical moments during the regular season and even more so in the playoffs.

In several key games, the Lakers found themselves vulnerable to teams with strong, physical centers. Against squads like the Denver Nuggets, whose big man Nikola Jokić is one of the best centers in the NBA, the Lakers’ inability to defend in the paint or secure crucial rebounds became a glaring issue. Davis, though elite, was overextended, and the Lakers lacked a true backup center to step up when he was either injured or fatigued.

The situation became even more difficult as the Lakers made their playoff push, knowing that every game was critical. As the postseason approached, they had to rely on veteran options like Mo Bamba and Wenyen Gabriel, but neither player could provide the same level of consistency and defensive dominance as Williams would have. The Lakers were left scrambling to patch together a solution at the center position, but the absence of a reliable rim protector and rebounder left them exposed.

Meanwhile, Mark Williams, who had been projected to become an immediate starter for the Lakers, was thriving with the Charlotte Hornets. Williams played with confidence, contributing immediately to their defense and providing the kind of rebounding presence the Lakers so desperately needed. His impact was felt both in the regular season and during Charlotte’s brief playoff run, where Williams showed an ability to defend elite centers while providing offensive energy on the pick-and-roll.

Williams’ performance in Charlotte, paired with the Lakers’ struggles at center, made the decision to cancel the trade look more and more like a missed opportunity. The Hornets now had a centerpiece in the middle, and the Lakers were left wondering how different the postseason could have been with Williams on their roster.

Long-Term Implications

The Lakers’ canceled trade for Williams didn’t just have immediate consequences—it also posed significant long-term implications for the franchise. With LeBron James now in the twilight of his career, the Lakers have a limited window to build a championship-caliber roster. The failure to secure a young, talented center like Williams could have a ripple effect for years to come.

The Lakers have built their roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but a central flaw in their construction is the lack of a true, long-term solution at center. With James aging and Davis’ injury concerns, the Lakers’ frontcourt depth is crucial for the team’s continued success. While the Lakers could potentially make a move for another big man in future seasons, the missed opportunity to land Williams meant they were left without a foundational piece in the middle—someone who could be the long-term answer for years to come.

This failure also raised questions about the Lakers’ approach to roster-building. The decision to cancel the trade, particularly when they were so close to acquiring a young center with so much upside, highlighted the team’s inability to make bold moves when needed. The Lakers’ hesitation and failure to capitalize on critical opportunities could have lasting repercussions, particularly as their championship window with LeBron and Davis continues to narrow.

Conclusion: A Lesson in Missed Opportunities

The canceled trade for Mark Williams continues to haunt the Los Angeles Lakers, not only for the missed opportunity to shore up their frontcourt in the short term but also for the long-term implications of passing on a young, elite center who could have been a foundational piece for years to come. The Lakers’ decision to pass on Williams was made in the heat of the moment, but as the season unfolded and the team’s struggles at center became increasingly evident, it became clear that this was a misstep.

The Lakers’ championship aspirations depend on the ability to build a well-rounded team, and the frontcourt remains a key area that must be addressed. As the 2023 season showed, failing to secure a true center like Mark Williams left the Lakers exposed. The lesson here is clear: in the cutthroat world of the NBA, missed opportunities can reverberate for years, and teams must be willing to make bold moves when the time is right. For the Lakers, the canceled Mark Williams trade will likely remain a haunting reminder of a decision that could have shaped their future.