The Lakers found themselves needing a versatile big after dealing Anthony Davis to the Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic on Feb. 2.
On Feb. 6, they nabbed him, not only securing a big for the present but the future, as well.
Los Angeles agreed to a trade to send Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap to the Hornets in exchange for Mark Williams, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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Knecht is a sizable loss. The 23-year old proved himself an impressive shooter off the bench and looks well-equipped to make an immediate impact in the Queen City.
Still, securing Williams represents a major coup for general manager Rob Pelinka & Co. The 23-year old figures to slot into the Lakers’ starting lineup right away. Williams, a 7-foot center, put up impressive totals in limited minutes with Charlotte in 2024-25, seemingly establishing himself as a key part of the franchise’s future.
Instead, he’ll end up in the City of Angels, sharing the floor with Doncic and LeBron James, who now look poised to mount a charge up the Western Conference standings.
Here’s what you need to know.
MORE LAKERS TRADE NEWS:
Mark Williams-Dalton Knecht trade details
Lakers receive:
Hornets receive:
- Dalton Knecht
- Cam Reddish
- 2031 unprotected first-round pick
- 2030 pick swap
Mark Williams contract details
Williams is in the third year of a four-year, $18 million rookie-scale deal he signed after being selected 15th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
He is eligible to sign a contract extension as soon as the 2025-26 season.
| Season | Age | Salary |
| 2024-25 | 23 | $4,094,280 |
| 2025-26 | 24 | $6,276,531 |
| 2026-27 | 25 | Restricted free agent |
Dalton Knecht contract details
Knecht is in the first year of the four-year, $18,483,220 deal he signed after being selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. He won’t be eligible for a contract extension until the 2027-28 season.
| Season | Age | Salary |
| 2024-25 | 23 | $3,819,120 |
| 2025-26 | 24 | $4,010,160 |
| 2026-27 | 25 | $4,201,080 |
| 2027-28 | 26 | $6,452,860 |
| 2028-29 | 27 | Restricted free agent |
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Mark Williams stats
2024-25 season
- 16.0 points per game
- 9.8 rebounds per game
- 2.5 assists per game
- 0.7 steals per game
- 1.2 blocks per game
- 1.0 turnovers per game
- 59.7 percent field goal shooting
- 77.6 percent free throw shooting
Career
- 11.7 points per game
- 8.4 rebounds per game
- 1.1 assists per game
- 0.7 steals per game
- 1.1 blocks per game
- 1.0 turnovers per game
- 62.6 percent field goal shooting
- 73.0 percent free throw shooting
Dalton Knecht stats
2024-25 season
- 9.4 points per game
- 3.1 rebounds per game
- 0.9 assists per game
- 0.3 steals per game
- 0.1 blocks per game
- 0.5 turnovers per game
- 46.5 percent field goal shooting
- 35.8 percent three point shooting
- 82.5 percent free throw shooting
