The Los Angeles Lakers closed the first half of the 2024-25 NBA regular season with a loss to a lottery-bound opponent, and that's how they opened the second half, too. The Charlotte Hornets went into Crypto.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets aren't considered rivals, but there will be some bad blood between the two squads when they face each other on Wednesday. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst,

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams is still dealing with a whirlwind of emotions after the trade that was supposed to send him to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month was rescinded due to a failed physical.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams has reportedly not returned to the team following the failed trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mark Williams will be staying with the Charlotte Hornets. NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the Hornets "have not filed a protest of any kind" regarding the Los Angeles Lakers' rescinded trade involving Williams,

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly have the frontcourt depth they were looking for after their trade for Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams was rescinded. ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday that Alex Len will sign with the Purple and Gold after he previously intended to join the Indiana Pacers.

The trade was rescinded because Williams failed his physical, which reportedly revealed multiple issues. Jeff Schwartz, Williams' agent at Excel Sports Management, issued a statem

Mark Williams and his agent questioned the Lakers in the fallout from a rescinded trade with the Charlotte Hornets at the NBA trade deadline.

The agent for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams says the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed his client’s physical examination.

The Lakers were called out by Mark Williams's representation after failing his physical and sending him back to the Hornets.