The Los Angeles Lakers are going all-in on their attempt to build the next NBA dynasty. After acquiring Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers listened to their new superstar's suggestion and executed another trade for center Mark Williams.

Upon landing in Los Angeles, Doncic confirmed to the team that he is at his best with an athletic big man to run pick-and-roll schemes with, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. The Lakers were short on size after sending Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Doncic, leading to their pursuit of Williams.

“After huddling with Luka Doncic after the trade, he impressed upon Lakers' brass his desire to play with a lob threat, mobile big whose vertical spacing gives Doncic another option when making his reads,” McMenamin tweeted.

Williams was amid a breakout third-year campaign with the Charlotte Hornets at the time of the trade. After missing a large portion of the early season, he is averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks per game through 23 outings in 2024-2025.

Williams' numbers have only gotten better as the season progressed. Through his 10 games in January, he averaged 18.9 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 blocks per game in 30.4 minutes per outing. His recent breakout has led to many viewing him as one of the best young two-way centers in the NBA.

Full Lakers' Mark Williams trade

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The Lakers' investment in Doncic and Williams forced them to give up a few of their own young assets. In exchange for Williams, Los Angeles sent rookie Dalton Knecht and former lottery pick Cam Reddish to Charlotte. The Hornets also received the Lakers' 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap.

Williams, 23, has two years left on his rookie contract. He is in his third year out of Duke, the same school as his new head coach, JJ Redick. McMenamin reported that the two developed a relationship while Williams was at Duke, where Redick supposedly became a mentor of the young big man.

Knecht became the third young player the Lakers gave up in the last week. To complete the Doncic trade, they previously sent Jalen Hood-Schifino to the Utah Jazz and Max Christie to the Mavericks. Including Williams, Los Angeles' roster now includes just five players under 25.

At the time of the Williams trade, the Lakers' 29-19 record has them fifth in the Western Conference. However, their recent moves ahead of the trade deadline made them one of the betting favorites to win the 2025 NBA Finals. They have made it past the first round of the playoffs just once in the past four years.