The basketball world works in mysterious ways, just ask Mark Williams.
The Hornets center was traded to the Lakers for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, 2031 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick swap, only to be sent straight back to Charlotte after failing his physical.
“It’s crazy,” Williams said in his first public comments since the failed trade, via The Charlotte Observer. “Your mind has to shift from you got traded, you’ve got to go to L.A. and then you’ve got to shift back from you’re not going to L.A. So, it’s definitely different.
“It’s a lot on your mind and you’ve got to take what life gives and make the most of every opportunity you’ve got.”
23-year-old Williams has an extensive injury history and has appeared in just 85 games in his first three NBA seasons, but he never dreamed he’d fail a physical.
“I didn’t think I had failed my physical,” Williams recalled. “That didn’t even cross my mind. The night I got traded I played hella minutes. I didn’t think in any world that was possible. Since I’ve been back since the start of the year, I’ve played games with a lot of minutes. I feel like every injury I’ve had has been well-documented and I’ve recovered and been 100 percent since.
“So, I don’t know what went into that decision. I think that’s up to them.”
Ironically, his first game back for the Hornets just happens to be a rescheduled game against the Lakers in LA.
“Can’t write it any other way right?,” Williams said. “NBA script. It’s just what it is.”
He’s keen to show the Lakers what he’s made of.
“I think the biggest thing for me is showing I’m healthy,” he said. “Like I said, I didn’t think there was a world (where) I’d fail a physical. So, I’m just excited to play.”
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