Mark Williams doesn't buy Lakers' reason for rescinded trade: 'They had second thoughts'

Mark Williams doesn't believe that a failed physical exam was the reason the Los Angeles Lakers stunningly rescinded a trade that would've brought him from the Charlotte Hornets to L.A. in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and draft capital earlier this month. 

Instead, he believes the Lakers backed out because they had buyer's remorse. 

"I don't know if, for them, it was what they gave up, or what went into that," Williams said following his first game back with Charlotte on Wednesday, which happened to be a 100-97 win over the Lakers. "But I don't think it was solely because of my physical. I've been playing all year, and I think my minutes and my production on the court speaks for itself."

When asked by FOX Sports if he thinks the Lakers simply had regrets, Williams shrugged. 

"I think that's a question for them, not for me," Williams told FOX Sports. "I was initially excited for the opportunity. I felt like I could have contributed for them. But, obviously, they had second thoughts."

The 23-year-old Williams has only played in 86 games since he was selected by the Hornets as the 15th overall pick in the 2022 draft. A back problem sidelined him for all but 19 games last season, and a strained tendon in his left foot that he suffered in September kept him out this season until Dec. 3. 

But Williams says there's no way he should've failed the physical. 

"I think it's important to realize games I haven't played, like my rookie year, it's not like I was hurt, I was just in the G League," Williams told FOX Sports. "And last year was the long-term injury with my back, which I've been 100 percent [since] — and even the Lakers said that. So, I think noting that, I've been healthy and every time I've been hurt it's been