By February 15, 2025
Photo: Kurt Shackelford / CLTure
Just when it looked like the Charlotte Hornets were making a major move, things took a bizarre turn. They shocked the NBA world by trading center Mark Williams to the LA Lakers — only for the Lakers to back out 48 hours later, citing a failed medical. In the span of a few days, Williams went from being a key piece of the Hornets’ bright future to an awkward, looming question mark hanging over Charlotte.
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What made this more confusing is that he had played in a game the day before the trade deadline. Lakers writer Jovan Buha reported that the issue wasn’t a current injury, but rather something in Williams’ medical scans that made them concerned about his long-term durability.
“My understanding is that, it’s not a current injury, but by putting him through [medical] imaging and seeing certain things with his body, they do not have long-term confidence,” he said on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast.
The Hornets, caught completely off guard, quickly put out a public statement welcoming Williams back. The wording was — well, let’s just say, awkward. But at this point, no amount of PR magic could put a positive spin on the situation
While publicly, the Hornets were welcoming Williams back, behind the scenes the front office were perplexed at the outcome. ESPN’s Bobby Marks confirmed the Hornets submitted all necessary medical documentation; so why the change of heart from Rob Pelinka? Hornets President of Basketball Operations Jeff Peterson contacted the NBA to dispute the failed medical, suspecting the Lakers were using it as an excuse to back out of the trade.
And that wouldn’t be unheard of. In 2015, the Houston Rockets’ Donatas Motiejūnas was involved in a deal that ultimately ended with a voided trade after he failed a medical with the Detroit Pistons. Later, he called the whole process suspect:
“The medical examination is a funny thing. The team doctor simply says whether you pass or don’t, although they may not even do any checks. Those 48 hours actually just let the team decide whether they want you or not,” he told a Lithuanian reporter in 2016.
“Hornets are not giving up on this deal. They’re going to try to reverse it again; they’re not satisfied with the Lakers’ explanation of Mark Williams failing the physical.”
“…like a mock trial and both teams will present their cases.” 🤨
🎙️ @mctenpic.twitter.com/3ogk8y21ZM
— /r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) February 13, 2025
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Hornets want the NBA to hold a “mock trial” where both teams can make their case. They’re not just fighting for themselves — they’re also trying to protect Williams’ reputation and future earning potential, which has taken a worse hit than Blockbuster when Netflix showed up.
As entertaining as it would be to see Adam Silver play Judge Judy, that seems unlikely. Instead, the NBA will probably try to settle this quietly during the All-Star break. Meanwhile, another report suggests the Lakers can dodge any punishment as long as they find an independent doctor to back up their medical concerns.
Most around the league see this as a battle the Hornets are destined to lose. But are they? At this point, the NBA hasn’t made a ruling. This saga has already been an unwanted headache for the league, and the last thing it wants is for it to overshadow its marquee event: All-Star Weekend.
Adam Silver: “Charlotte has not filed a protest of any kind […] but almost by definition (re: trade physicals), you get into a certain level of subjectivity and where that standard is— let’s see what Charlotte decides to here, but I think either way it’s gotten our attention.” pic.twitter.com/ODKMnDhKYD
— sewsgup (@sewsgup) February 16, 2025
What Happens Next?
While the NBA reinstating the trade can’t be completely ruled out, it is highly unlikely. If the league does find any wrongdoing by the Lakers, the more probable outcome would be a fine, an admission of guilt, or the loss of a second-round pick. Either way, that still leaves Charlotte with a problem — an unhappy and potentially unhealthy Williams back on their roster with limited trade value.
Mentally, Williams comes back to Charlotte with a bruised ego, a scrambled mindset, and plenty of doubts about the front office. Can he still find the drive to give his best, knowing the team no longer views him as part of their future?
Physically, should the Hornets even play him this season? Putting him on the court could make them look reckless — especially if he gets hurt. But if the issue the Lakers flagged is a long-term concern, simply resting him won’t fix anything. Maybe Charlotte plays him to showcase his talents to potential suitors in preparation for a mutually agreed-upon offseason trade.
Another possibility is that they don’t play him for the rest of the season and instead use the time to get his body in the best possible shape. This would also help address the awkward situation of having three centers (Nurkic, Diabate, and Williams) on the roster, all expecting minutes. In the summer, if Williams still wants to be traded, Charlotte could find a new partner willing to take on the future risk, but probably at a much lower trade value.
This situation is somewhat reminiscent of Tyson Chandler failing his medical with the OKC Thunder in 2009, only to be traded months later — ironically, to the Charlotte Bobcats. It’s worth noting that Chandler went on to play 10 more seasons, win Defensive Player of the Year, and capture an NBA Championship after that failed medical. So, despite how it might look right now, Williams’ future is far from doomed.
Kevin Durant says the Thunder killing a trade for Tyson Chandler in 2009 after he failed the physical hurt them almost as much as losing James Harden did.
A year later the Mavs traded for Tyson Chandler and beat the Thunder en route to winning the NBA Finals.
🎥: @OutTheMudTL pic.twitter.com/1DP3lz2TcQ
— Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 (@MavsFilmRoom) January 17, 2025
And then, there’s the fairy-tale option: Charlotte welcomes Williams back with open arms, both sides put the drama behind them, and he seamlessly re-enters the team. While a hefty contract extension before the October 2025 deadline may be off the table, Williams stays in Charlotte, where he is cherished and valued.
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