Mark Williams Trade Rescinded: Did Pelinka Make a Mistake? Can Lakers Find Another Center?

So what now? In news that frankly was more stunning than the acquisition of center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets late last week, on Saturday evening it was announced that the deal was off. Why? Because Williams failed his physical with the Lakers. This sort of thing is exceedingly rare. Often when problems like this pop up, the terms of compensation change, but the trade still happens. But for the centerpiece (no pun intended) of a trade to be examined and red flagged to the point where the team that wanted him won't sign off? Wow. So who's to blame here? Did Rob Pelinka screw this up (and in the process cost the Lakers a chance to get a different center whose body they presumably wouldn't decide is a ticking time bomb? Did the Hornets try to hide the ball and hoodwink the Lakers into giving up (a lot of) assets for a guy they knew was damaged? Or was this just the process playing out as it should? Either way, the Lakers are now short the starting center they thought they had on Thursday as the deadline passed, and don't have many options to try and solve the problem. Essentially, they're down to players available through the buyout market (the most prominent being Daniel Theis and former Laker (albeit briefly) Mo Bamba. Could those guys help a little? Maybe? Depends on how we're defining "help" and "a little." Are they difference makers? Absolutely not. (And because both Knecht and Reddish are back on the roster, they'd have to cut someone to make the room. Maybe they roll with Jaxson Hayes and two-way centers Trey Jemison III and Christian Koloko, creating roster space for one of them to be converted to a regular NBA contract, since two-way guys aren't eligible for the postseason. But mostly, it's just pretty clear the Lakers are going to have to finish the year with a different roster than the one they had hoped for, which means JJ Redick and his staff will have to adjust accordingly. Winning games like Saturday in Indiana feel even more important now, since the team could be a little weaker. Winning games like those, and like the one coming tonight against Utah (with Luka Doncic hopefully ready to make his debut in LA), are/will be critical for giving the Lakers a little cushion to absorb any slow start they might have in the Doncic Era. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Williams Deal is Dead SEGMENT 2: Did Pelinka make a mistake, here? SEGMENT 3: AD injured. That sucks. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! WayFair After the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. SKIMS Shop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com/lockedonnba . Let them know we sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. OpenPhone The #1 business phone system designed to help you keep your work and personal life separate.Right now, OpenPhone is offering 20% off your first 6 months when you go to OpenPhone.com/LOCKEDONNBA .and if you have existing numbers with another service, OpenPhone will port them over at no extra charge! Door Dash They Swoosh, You Save: when any player scores 50 or more points in a game during the 24/25 NBA regular season, DashPass members save 50% on an order, up to $10 off with promo code NBA50 . 50% Off 1 Order (Up to $10 Off) Offer valid from 9:00 AM PT through 11:59 PM PT after a 50 point performance in any game during the NBA season on orders placed at participating merchant locations. Valid only in the United States. Maximum value of discount is $10.00. Discount applies to subtotal only; does not apply to fees, taxes, and gratuity. Not valid for pickup. Limit one per person. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Must have an active DashPass account. Use promo code NBA50 to redeem. See further terms and conditions at https://drd.sh/8ONpZP/ . FanDuel Right now, new FanDuel customers can get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.