LA Lakers’ new center drops reaction as he becomes final puzzle piece in the Luka Doncic era

LA Lakers GM Rob Pelinka continued to retool the roster after sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. Pelinka told reporters during the Doncic introductory press conference that the team badly needed a center. He expressed confidence that the team would be able to find somebody who could fill up the gaping hole left by Davis.

On Wednesday, Pelinka did as promised by trading for former Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams. The Lakers acquired Williams by sending “Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap” to the East.

Williams went on X (formerly Twitter) to respond to the trade with heart emojis:

The Charlotte Hornets made Mark Williams the No. 15 pick in the 2022 draft. Injuries forced him to play 62 games in to seasons. He averaged 10.1 points 7.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. The 7-foot center has turned heads this season now that he is healthy. He is averaging 16.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.5 APG and 1.2 BPG.

In yet another disappointing and another injury-plagued campaign for the Hornets, Williams has been one of the team's best stories. Charlotte seems intent to continue its rebuild by sending one of its emerging players to the LA Lakers.

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Mark Williams and Luka Doncic could debut for the LA Lakers on Saturday

JJ Redick said on Wednesday before the Mark Williams deal came out that Luka Doncic could play against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. If the Slovenian does not get the green light to suit up for that game, he could debut on Monday versus the Utah Jazz.

Williams will undergo medical and might suit up for the team on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. It is more likely, though, that he will need time to practice with the team and probably suit up against the Pacers. The LA Lakers' biggest acquistions could debut together at home versus the surging Eastern Conference team.

Williams and Doncic, once cleared to play, will join LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura in the starting lineup. Laker Nation can't wait or JJ Redick to roll out the team's new starting five.