Williams' agent discredits failed Lakers physical
The agent for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams disputes his client's failed physical with the Los Angeles Lakers, claiming the decision isn't consistent with the opinions of several medical professionals.
"The overwhelming sentiment, after conferring with multiple, nationally recognized doctors, is that the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed Mark Williams on his physical," Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management said in the statement obtained by ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Schwartz added: "Mark was ready and able to play for them and should have been given that opportunity."
The Lakers haven't responded to Schwartz's claims, according to ESPN.
Williams was traded to the Lakers on Feb. 8 for rookie Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a 2030 pick swap, and a 2031 unprotected first-round selection. The trade's approval was pending physical examinations for the players involved, and according to the Lakers, Williams' tests revealed multiple issues.
Williams had only appeared in 19 games this season prior to the trade due to a lingering back issue. However, the Lakers didn't identify that specific injury as a concern, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The 23-year-old Duke product returned from a four-game absence to face the Lakers on Wednesday. He recorded 10 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in 29 minutes in the Hornets' 100-97 victory. It was his first appearance for the team since the annulled trade.
Williams claims the failed physical wasn't the only reason the Lakers nixed the deal.
"I don't think it was solely because of my physical," he said. "I felt like I could have contributed to them. But, obviously, they had second thoughts."
LeBron James, who dunked on Williams during Wednesday's contest, spoke about facing a player who was set to join the Lakers' ranks.
"He was never a teammate," James said. "He never stepped into the locker room. He never came [in]. We never seen him. We know the trade went down, but we never seen him. So when it got rescinded, it was just back to what it was before. So, it was no different."