Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 6, 2025

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It reportedly didn’t take long for Luka Dončić to influence the Los Angeles Lakers’ front office.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported the five-time All-NBA selection met with the Lakers Monday “and impressed upon them his desire to have” a big man who is mobile and a lob threat on the floor with him as he operates the offense.

So Los Angeles responded by adding center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2031 unprotected first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The Lakers’ biggest concern after trading Anthony Davis in the Dončić deal was impact frontcourt depth, and this move addressed that hole by giving them a double-double threat who can work in pick-and-rolls with Dončić and LeBron James.

Williams is averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 58.6 percent from the field this season.

There is a durability issue seeing how Williams has played 85 of a possible 213 games since entering the league in 2022, but McMenamin noted “Los Angeles is confident in his medicals” after he didn’t need surgery for recent back and foot injuries.

The Lakers’ aggressive approach ahead of Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline has set them up nicely to compete in a loaded Western Conference.

James and Dončić is one of the best one-two punches in the league, and Williams is a formidable answer to the biggest question mark that was hovering over the roster after the shocking move that sent Davis to the Dallas Mavericks.

That should help them continue their momentum they have built by winning seven of the last eight.