New Lakers Star Mark Williams Has A Bad Attitude?
New Lakers Star Mark Williams Has A Bad Attitude?
The Los Angeles Lakers made a significant move in the 2025 NBA trade season by acquiring center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. General Manager Rob Pelinka orchestrated this trade just days after securing Luka Doncic, demonstrating the Lakers’ aggressive pursuit of talent to strengthen their roster.
Williams, a former Duke standout, joins the Lakers with mixed recent performances. His stint with the Hornets showed flashes of potential, evidenced by strong statistical outputs, yet defensive consistency remained a notable challenge. The young center’s transition to the high-pressure environment of Los Angeles presents both an opportunity and a test for his development as a professional player.
That said, a few days prior to the deal commencing, Williams was criticized for having a bad attitude following a game between the Hornets and Washington Wizards.
“I’m okay when shots are missed, I’m okay when errors happen,” Hornets announcer Terrence Oglesby said two days prior to the trade.
“But if there’s at least effort, I can live with those things. Mark Williams has put together a first half that I’ve never seen from a starting center at the NBA level… He was so poor from an effort perspective today that they had to switch him off of Jonas Valanciunas, and then he was giving up wide-open three because he wasn’t hustling out to contest threes,” Oglesby continued.
“The effort has to be better. You might be down 23 points, whatever. This is a Washington Wizards team that’s dead last in offense and defense. And they are beating you by 23 points on your home floor because you don’t feel like moving. This is crazy.
“Mark Williams, if you’re going to be a center of a franchise where they’ve invested in you, and they have planned for you to be a core piece of what they’re going to be moving forward, that effort is unacceptable.”
Luka Doncic’s Latest Lakers Photo Shows How Fat He Is Now: https://t.co/keWhCckOze
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Williams Set Up To Thrive With Lakers
Mark Williams enters a vastly different situation with the Lakers compared to his previous role on the struggling Charlotte Hornets. The young center’s statistical foundation shows promise, with 5.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game alongside efficient shooting marks of 58.6% from the field.
The presence of elite playmakers transforms Williams’ potential ceiling. LeBron James and Luka Doncic have proven track records of maximizing their big men through precise passing and court vision. Their ability to draw defensive attention creates prime scoring opportunities for rolling centers.
Williams’ defensive metrics hint at his impact potential:
- 1.2 blocks per game
- 0.7 steals per game
- Strong rim protection instincts
The 23-year-old center also brings supplementary playmaking skills, averaging 2.5 assists per game. This passing ability could prove valuable in the Lakers’ motion-heavy offense, particularly when working in tandem with Anthony Davis in frontcourt partnerships.
Success hinges on Williams’ commitment level and work ethic. The Lakers’ championship culture demands consistent effort and focus. With the NBA trade deadline approaching, the coaching staff will need to quickly integrate Williams into their defensive schemes and offensive sets.
The Lakers’ proven player development system and championship-caliber environment provide Williams with tools for growth that were unavailable in Charlotte. His efficiency at the free-throw line (78.0%) suggests shooting touch that could be further developed.
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
