NBA: Lakers acquire C Mark Williams from Hornets

WEB DESK (FIELD LEVEL MEDIA): The Los Angeles Lakers acquired center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick and a swap of 2030 first-round picks, multiple outlets reported.

At 7-feet, 109 kilogram, Williams fills the inside void vacated when Anthony Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks late Saturday in a blockbuster deal for guard Luka Doncic. Multiple other assets were included in the deal.

Read more: Caitlin Clark’s alleged stalker says he’s guilty, wants to stay in jail

Mark Williams, 23, has averaged 15.6 points with 9.6 rebounds in 23 games (20 starts) for the Hornets this season. The number 15 overall draft pick in 2022 out of Duke has scored 11.6 points with 8.3 rebounds in three seasons and 85 games (56 starts) for Charlotte.

Injury plagued in his young NBA career, Williams missed time earlier this season with a tendon injury in his left foot. He also has missed time in previous seasons with a back issue, a thumb injury that required surgery and multiple sprains of his left ankle.

Knecht, 23, is a dynamic long-range shooter who was selected by the Lakers with the number 17 overall pick in the most recent draft. He has averaged 9.4 points with 3.1 rebounds in 48 games (12 starts).

Knecht scored a career-best 37 points while tying a rookie record with nine made 3-pointers in a victory over the Utah Jazz on November 19.

Reddish, 25, is another Duke product that has been limited to 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 31 games (eight starts) because of a right ankle sprain.

Read more: Stephen Curry leads Warriors past Timberwolves

In six seasons, Reddish has averaged 8.5 points with 2.7 rebounds in 252 games (116 starts) for the Atlanta Hawks (2019-22), New York Knicks (2022-23), Portland Trail Blazers (2023) and Lakers.