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Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Feb 9, 2025 5:56 PM ET
The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Saturday evening that their trade to acquire Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams had been rescinded. This failed deal was set to land Williams in Los Angeles, with Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish heading to Charlotte.
Following the team's announcement, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on X, "Mark Williams' physical with the Lakers showed multiple issues and the team failed him on the exam, sources tell ESPN. The physical was not failed due to his back, however."
With the trade deadline having passed, Los Angeles now proceeds without the 7-foot Williams who has averaged 15.6 points and 9.6 rebounds this season.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, this failed trade is not the only bad news they're facing post-deadline. Not only is Williams remaining in Charlotte, but the Lakers are unable to sign several potential buyout candidates due to the NBA's new CBA.
"The Lakers are now left with Jaxson Hayes as their only center," The Athletic's Fred Katz wrote on X. "And one piece to note about this: Since they are above the first apron, they cannot sign any buyout players who were previously making more than the midlevel exception."
The Lakers are now left with Jaxson Hayes as their only center. And one piece to note about this: Since they are above the first apron, they cannot sign any buyout players who were previously making more than the midlevel exception.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) February 9, 2025
The 2024-25 midlevel exception is $12,822,000 (via Spotrac), meaning the Lakers are unable to sign any bought-out player who was making more than that prior to their buyout agreement. This significantly limits their ability to upgrade the center position.
For example, if the Lakers wanted to sign the recently bought-out Ben Simmons, they would be unable to since his salary with the Brooklyn Nets this season was about $40 million ( via Basketball Reference).
