Mark Williams is mad at the Lakers

What if Mark Williams joined Luka Doncic and LeBron James on the Lakers in February 2025. What would happen? No one will ever know. The Californians finished the season in fifth place until the first round of the playoffs against the Wolves. JJ Redick also stood out during Game 5, which is synonymous with elimination, as he didn’t bring any pivot into the game…

The front office has since rectified the situation with the return of Deandre Ayton, and Mark Williams is back with the Suns. however, 24-year-old pivot keeps that tickle in his throat, he confided on the “Old Man and Three” podcast with teammates Colin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin and Ryan Dunn.

“Honestly, I was like, ‘Screw you all,’ really. I was excited to get to the Lakers. I thought I was the profile that could really help them get into the playoffs. And of course, when they were eliminated, I tweeted a little smiley. I had hate », he stated.

Jordan Goodwin, now his teammate in Phoenix, played for the Lakers back then. He too witnessed the frustration in the locker room, firstly because canceled trades are still rare in the NBA, but also because everything seemed to be already closed. Dalton Knecht, who was announced as the chief negotiator, was already ready to pack his bags.

Increased motivation against Los Angeles

“We thought it was settled. And then one fine day: boom, what happened? They said his knee was in bad shape. But he had just played the week before or so, so I was a little confused.”Jordan Goodwin recalled. “It was a little weird, especially since Dalton was already gone. His locker and stuff had already been removed. He was right next to mine and his name was next to my locker. So I thought, ‘Okay, I kind of know him already,’ and I was excited, because we had Post 5 finally starting to breathe. And it all came out the next day.

What followed caused outrage: Mark Williams continued his path without major physical problems, and seemed to use every confrontation against the Lakers to settle scores. He already shined last season, allowing Charlotte to leave California with a win.

We have to believe that he continued the tradition this season, since in three confrontations against the Lakers this season, Phoenix won twice, and Mark Williams shone each time, averaging 17 points (22/26 shooting), 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 25 minutes in three games. There’s still a home game against Los Angeles at the end of February, and there’s no doubt that the Suns’ pivot will still be especially motivated…

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.