The Los Angeles Lakers rescinded their trade deadline deal for big man Mark Williams on Saturday night in a surprising turn of events.

Read more: Lakers’ Blockbuster Trade for Mark Williams Rescinded in Shocking Twist

The deal was going to send Williams to Los Angeles for rookie guard Dalton Knecht, forward Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick, and a 2030 first-round pick swap. Now, it has been cancelled.

ESPN’s Shams Charania has provided more information on why the Lakers decided to rescind it.

“Mark Williams’ physical with the Lakers showed multiple issues and the team failed him on the exam, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote on X. “The physical was not failed due to his back, however.”

Mark Williams Injury History

Williams already has a lengthy injury history across two-plus seasons in the NBA.

During his rookie year, Williams appeared in just 43 games due to multiple ankle sprains and a thumb injury.

Then, during his sophomore year, Williams played in just 19 games due to a back injury. However, Charania said that back issue wasn’t the reason he failed the physical.

This year, Williams has played in just 23 games due to knee and foot injuries.

Charania says Williams’ physical showed multiple issues, causing L.A. to fail him and rescind the trade.

The Lakers desperately needed to make this move as it gave them a true center on a roster that currently lacks one. After trading Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the Luka Doncic deal, the Lakers were left with just Jaxson Hayes, Christian Koloko, and Trey Jemison III as potential center options.

Williams was a huge upgrade for L.A., and a player who would perfectly complement Doncic and LeBron James as a lob threat. However, the Lakers clearly felt that his medical issues were insurmountable, thus leaving them in a precarious position following the trade deadline.

The Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winners of nine of their last 10 and 11 of their last 13. With Doncic and Williams, they appeared to be not just a title contender, but a title favorite. Now, they’ll need to find a true big man to be able to compete in the loaded Western Conference.

The Lakers’ roster is now back at 15 players, meaning they’ll have to waive someone to add another player.

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