Mark Williams has not fully moved on from the failed trade that nearly sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year.

In February 2025, Los Angeles reached an agreement to acquire the 24-year-old center, viewing him as a strong interior fit alongside newly acquired Luka Doncic. That plan unraveled quickly when the Lakers rescinded the deal following Williams’ medical evaluation.

Appearing recently on the Old Man and the Three podcast, Williams described how abruptly the situation ended. He explained that he was informed the trade had been voided despite having just played a game that same night, and that the decision was final with no path toward revisiting it. Williams made clear that the sudden reversal left him stunned and angry.

He also acknowledged his frustration publicly at the time, noting that he believed he could have helped Los Angeles during a playoff push and felt blindsided by how the process played out. Williams admitted that emotions boiled over after the Lakers were eliminated, leading him to react on social media out of lingering resentment.

Following the collapse of the trade, Williams’ agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, publicly challenged the Lakers’ decision. Schwartz stated that multiple respected physicians believed Williams should have passed the physical and that he was ready to contribute immediately.

Williams finished the season with the Charlotte Hornets, appearing in 44 regular season games. He averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 60.4 percent from the field, reaffirming his value as an efficient interior presence.

Since then, Williams has turned the page professionally. In June, Charlotte traded him to the Phoenix Suns in a deal that sent Williams and a second round pick to Phoenix in exchange for Vasa Micic, Liam McNeeley, and a 2029 first round selection.

Suns general manager Brian Gregory praised Williams’ combination of size, finishing ability, rim protection, rebounding, and passing feel, while emphasizing his motor and intangibles as strong fits within Phoenix’s identity.

Through 29 games with the Suns (as of January 3), Williams is averaging 12.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while settling into a consistent rotation role.

The Lakers, meanwhile, pivoted in the offseason and addressed their center position by acquiring Deandre Ayton, who has provided steady production and availability. From a roster construction standpoint, both franchises ultimately found workable solutions.

Still, Williams’ comments make it clear that the way Los Angeles handled the situation left a lasting impression. Given the circumstances and timing, that lingering frustration is understandable, even as his career continues to move forward.