🚨 The Big Picture
The Charlotte Hornets traded Mark Williams to the Lakers for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 pick swap. This trade is all about asset accumulation, but it also leaves the Hornets in a familiar place—without a true center and still searching for direction.
💭 My Take
This move tells us a few things. One, the front office is fully committed to this reset. They aren’t sentimental about their first-round picks, and they’re willing to cut bait when things aren’t working. Two, Mark Williams simply wasn’t the guy they thought he’d be, whether due to injuries or fit. He looked like a completely different player post-injury—slower, hesitant, and incapable of being the defensive anchor Charlotte needed.
I get why fans are upset. We’ve seen this before—young talent struggling in Charlotte, leaving, and suddenly figuring it out elsewhere. Could Mark Williams turn into a solid NBA center with LeBron and Luka feeding him lobs? Absolutely. But let’s not pretend that version of Mark has been around lately. The guy we’ve been watching was getting cooked by Jonas Valanciunas, Bobby Portis, Nikola Vucevic, Evan Mobley, Jarret Allen, Brook Lopez and Bilal Coulibaly for godssake. He’s been slow in transition and showing none of the defensive flashes that made him promising as a rookie.
That said, this was a good trade in a vacuum. Dalton Knecht is a player the Hornets were high on in the draft. If he sticks, he’s a needed shooter with real offensive upside. The 2031 unprotected first is a valuable trade chip, even if we have no clue what the league will look like then. And Cam Reddish? Well, I’m not holding my breath, but he’s another lottery ticket for a team that needs talent.
🎯 What They Got
- Dalton Knecht: If the Hornets had drafted him this past summer, fans would’ve been thrilled. His defensive struggles are real, but his shooting and offensive aggression give Charlotte a much-needed boost.
- Cam Reddish: If the Hornets unlock him, great. If not, he’s an expiring contract.
- Future Picks: The 2031 first and 2030 pick swap are assets, plain and simple. The Hornets now have the flexibility to package picks in future deals.
📉 What They Lost
- Mark Williams’ Potential: If he thrives in LA, this trade will haunt some fans. But let’s be real—he wasn’t thriving in Charlotte.
- Size & Rim Protection: The Hornets now have no real center. That’s a problem.
👀 What’s Next?The Hornets have set themselves up for a bigger move, but who plays center now? They traded Nick Richards and now Mark Williams—are they really rolling with Moussa Diabaté? Are more moves coming?
This trade makes sense for the long term, but the short-term reality is bleak. Charlotte is doubling down on asset collection, but at some point, they have to cash in and build something real.
Would you have made this trade? Let me know in the comments of our latest YouTube video or on Subtext, joinsubtext.com/lockedonhornets
