Lakers Trade Dalton Knecht to Hornets for Mark Williams

The Los Angeles Lakers traded rookie Dalton Knecht, along with Cam Reddish and future draft picks, to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams. This move follows the Lakers' recent trade of Anthony Davis to the Mavericks for superstar Luka Doncic, highlighting their need for a versatile big man. Knecht, who averaged 9.4 points per game in his short tenure with the Lakers, was previously a standout at Tennessee, where he earned SEC Player of the Year honors. The Hornets, who had shown interest in Knecht during the draft process, view him as a valuable addition to their roster, complementing their young core with his scoring ability. Meanwhile, Williams is expected to fill a critical gap in the Lakers' frontcourt, bringing his impressive stats from Charlotte to Los Angeles. The trade signals both teams' strategic directions as they aim to enhance their prospects in the league.