A Deal That Never Was

The Los Angeles Lakers thought they had pulled off a major move for their future when they struck a trade with the Charlotte Hornets to acquire 23-year-old center Mark Williams. With his athleticism, rim protection, and ability to work as a lob threat alongside Luka Doncic, Williams seemed like the ideal long-term piece to bolster the Lakers’ frontcourt.

But in a stunning turn of events, the trade collapsed before it could be finalized. On Saturday night, the deal was officially rescinded due to the Hornets “failing to meet a condition of the trade.” This sent Williams back to Charlotte and returned Dalton Knecht to Los Angeles. The root of the problem? Williams’ medical evaluation raised multiple red flags, concerns the Lakers simply couldn’t overlook.

Williams has dealt with injuries before, but Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka had initially expressed full confidence in his health before the physical was completed. Speaking to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Pelinka assured fans and media that Williams’ past issues weren’t a cause for concern.

“We fully vetted his health stuff, led by Dr. Kris Jones at UCLA Health and Dr. Leroy Sims on our team, and he’s had no surgeries,” Pelinka stated. “So these are just parts of, he’s still growing into his body. We vetted the injuries he’s had, and we’re not concerned about those. We will have a chance to have a physical and continue to do a deep dive and make sure that what we’ve talked about and seen in the records… So we’ll still have that step in the process of doing a full physical before the trade becomes official.”

Unfortunately for Pelinka and the Lakers, the results of that deep dive proved to be a dealbreaker. The trade was scrapped entirely, with no chance of renegotiation since the issue surfaced after the trade deadline had passed.

Lakers Left Scrambling for a Center

Now, the Lakers find themselves in a difficult position. The frontcourt was already a weak spot on the roster before the attempted trade, and with the deal falling apart, the problem remains unresolved. The team is now left with only Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko as options in the middle an unsettling reality considering the physical battles of a potential playoff run.

With no option to revisit the trade market, the Lakers will have to explore the buyout market for reinforcements. However, given the restrictions they face, landing a quality big man won’t be easy.

The one silver lining? The return of Dalton Knecht, who can provide valuable shooting on the wing. LeBron James and Luka Doncic will benefit from another reliable perimeter option, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Lakers’ biggest issue remains unresolved.

For now, Pelinka and the Lakers front office will have to go back to the drawing board—this time, hopefully, with a little more caution before making big proclamations about a player’s health.

The CHGO Bulls crew dives into Chicago’s tough 132-111 loss to the Golden State Warriors, where the Bulls squandered a 24-point lead. Everything seemed to be going their way until Steph Curry flipped the switch, dropping 24 of his 34 points in a scorching third-quarter performance.

The game also marked Jimmy Butler’s first appearance in a Warriors jersey, adding another layer of intrigue to the night. Despite the collapse, Bulls fans got their first glimpse of newcomers Kevin Huerter and Tre Jones in action.

On a more positive note, Coby White continued his impressive scoring stretch, providing a consistent spark for Chicago. Meanwhile, rookie Matas Buzelis remained aggressive in his second straight start, showing flashes of his potential. While the loss stung, there were still a few bright spots for Bulls fans to hold onto as the team looks to bounce back.

The Golden State Warriors find themselves in a difficult roster-building situation following their high-profile acquisition of Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. While adding a star of Butler’s caliber is undoubtedly a boost to their championship aspirations, it came at the cost of depth, as the team had to trade away four players to finalize the deal.

As a result, the Warriors currently have only 12 players on standard contracts, including Quinten Post, who had his two-way deal converted into a full NBA contract. Additionally, the team has two players on two-way deals, meaning they have room to add as many as four more players—three on standard contracts and one on a two-way contract.

However, the front office faces financial constraints that could limit their ability to fully bolster the roster. With the Warriors hard-capped at the first tax apron, they have just $1,372,306 in available cap space, according to Spotrac. This means they can afford to add just one more player on a prorated veteran’s minimum deal unless they make additional moves. Converting a two-way player, such as Pat Spencer, to a standard contract could help them reach 14 playoff-eligible players, but even then, their options are limited.

Potential Buyout Candidates for the Warriors

Despite financial limitations, the buyout market presents opportunities for Golden State to reinforce its roster with valuable additions. Here are six potential targets the Warriors should consider.

Ben Simmons

Among the most intriguing options for Golden State is Ben Simmons. Many Warriors fans are speculating about the possibility of signing the former All-Star, and from a salary cap perspective, the move is feasible. Since the Warriors are not an apron team, they are eligible to sign any buyout player regardless of their previous contract value.

Simmons’ playmaking ability and defensive versatility could make him a strong fit for Golden State. He has the potential to serve as a secondary ball-handler and function as a dribble handoff hub, much like Draymond Green. However, Simmons’ passivity on offense and injury history raise concerns. While he could be a unique asset, the Warriors might hesitate to gamble their limited financial flexibility on a player with so many uncertainties.

Bruce Brown

If the Warriors are looking for a more reliable option, Bruce Brown should be at the top of their list. A high-IQ player known for making winning plays, Brown played a crucial role in the Denver Nuggets’ 2023 championship run. His defensive intensity and ability to contribute without the ball would be highly valuable for Golden State’s system.

Brown is not an elite three-point shooter, but his energy, defensive versatility, and basketball instincts make him a perfect fit for a title-contending team. The only obstacle is whether he actually becomes available—his current team, the New Orleans Pelicans, may decide to keep him for the playoffs to retain his Bird rights. Regardless, the Warriors should closely monitor his situation.

Bojan Bogdanovic

A veteran sharpshooter, Bojan Bogdanovic could provide the Warriors with another offensive weapon. His ability to space the floor and handle the ball would add versatility to the team’s offense. The last time the Warriors won a championship in 2022, they had a sweet-shooting European big man in Nemanja Bjelica. While Bogdanovic offers a different skill set, his offensive firepower could be valuable in a similar way.

However, injuries have kept Bogdanovic off the court this season, and despite being cleared for on-court work, it remains uncertain how much he can contribute down the stretch. With limited cap space, the Warriors must weigh whether taking a risk on his health is worthwhile.

Malcolm Brogdon

If Malcolm Brogdon becomes available, he would instantly become one of the most talented players in the buyout market. The Warriors could benefit from his steady presence as a backup point guard behind Stephen Curry. Unlike traditional pick-and-roll guards such as Dennis Schroder, Brogdon thrives in a motion-based system, making him an ideal fit for Golden State’s style of play.

While injuries have hampered Brogdon’s availability in recent years, his skill set remains highly valuable. He has played for struggling teams recently, which may explain his reduced playing time. If given the opportunity in Golden State, he could be a significant contributor.

Seth Curry

Reuniting the Curry brothers in Golden State would undoubtedly generate excitement among fans. With the Charlotte Hornets seemingly headed for a rebuild, Seth Curry could be looking for a new team, and the Warriors would be a logical landing spot.

At 34, Curry remains an elite shooter, connecting on 45.1% of his three-point attempts this season. However, his role has diminished, and his defensive limitations might make him a less-than-ideal fit for a Warriors team in need of size and defense rather than another undersized shooter.

Larry Nance Jr.

While the least likely to hit the buyout market, Larry Nance Jr. would be an outstanding addition to the Warriors’ roster. A versatile big man, Nance can finish lobs, stretch the floor with occasional three-pointers, and make intelligent plays on both ends of the court.

The Atlanta Hawks highly value Nance and have reportedly resisted trade offers for him. If he does become available, Golden State should pursue him aggressively, as his combination of basketball IQ and locker room presence would be a perfect fit for the team.

Final Thoughts

The Warriors’ options in the buyout market may be limited, but they have a chance to add a key piece that could help them in the postseason. Whether they prioritize playmaking, shooting, or defense, they must carefully allocate their remaining financial flexibility to maximize their roster’s potential.

With the trade deadline behind them, Golden State’s front office must now make strategic decisions that could define their championship aspirations. If they manage to land the right player, it could be the final piece that helps them compete for another title.