‘No tangible dismay’ from Luka Doncic about Lakers walking away from Mark Williams trade

“Every person who worked at the Mavericks, except for me, was terrified of this guy,” Haralabob Voulgaris, a Mavericks executive from 2018 to 2021, said of Dončić on the podcast “My First Million.” Voulgaris told a story about interacting with Dončić during his rookie season. Dončić filled a thermos with lemonade and sweet tea. “I know liquid calories are death,” Voulgaris told then-owner Cuban. Voulgaris, according to his recounting, was told to stay in his lane. (In a response to those comments, Cuban told The Athletic, “Bob has always talked a good game.”) -via New York Times / February 17, 2025

In November, Dončić missed five games with what the Mavericks announced as a right wrist sprain. That injury classification was not entirely true. In reality, Dončić was supposed to use time off to improve his conditioning, team sources said. -via New York Times / February 17, 2025

Two of those games featured his new teammate, Luka Doncic. James was asked if playing with the 25-year-old Doncic has affected how long he planned to continue to play before retiring. “I have not given it that type of thought,” James said. “Just the excitement of being able to add a caliber player like that, a generational talent like that to our franchise, it’s something that’s given me energy. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do. … I think we could be really good going down the stretch. But we’ll see what happens.” -via ESPN / February 17, 2025

Unlike Knecht, who saw action Wednesday night against the Jazz in Utah after not playing on Monday despite being active for Luke Doncic’s Los Angeles debut, Mark Williams remained away, undoubtedly to give the 7-footer more time to mentally process the whirlwind. While the Hornets have been in contact with NBA, appealing to see whether anything can be done in regard to the deal, league sources confirmed to The Observer, they await Williams’ return. Beyond the team-issued statement in the aftermath of the Lakers pulling the plug, the Hornets have been mum publicly. We don’t know precisely how Jeff Peterson feels about what’s transpired. The Hornets’ president of basketball operations has yet to address the media and there is no definitive word when that will happen. -via Charlotte Observer / February 16, 2025

Marc J. Spears: The Charlotte Hornets “have not filed a protest of any kind” for the LA Lakers rescinding the Mark Williams trade, Adam Silver said. -via Twitter @MarcJSpears / February 15, 2025

Shams Charania: Free agent 7-footer Alex Len will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, agent Mike Lelchitski tells ESPN. Len intended to sign with the Pacers but has decided to land in LA after the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade and created new opportunity. -via x.com / February 11, 2025