Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacted to the team's new acquisition of center Mark Williams, saying he's a big fan of his and that he'll be a good fit for the team.
The Los Angeles Lakers made another big trade before the trade deadline by trading away their rookie and a fan favorite Dalton Knecht to Charlotte Hornets for young center Mark Williams.
After the Lakers win against the Golden State Warriors 120-112, coach JJ Redick reacted to the acquisition of Williams, saying he's a big fan of his. Coach believes Williams will be a great addition to the Lakers squad.
"I met Mark when he was playing at Duke, as he was coming out of the draft process. Gotten really good feedback through the years on his character, his intelligence level and I watched him develop and just a big fan of his,” Redick said. “Just feel like he’s a really good fit for now and he’s a really good fit for the future.”
Redick is no stranger to Williams, as he severed in a mentorship type role for him when he was in college. Redick also did a lot of background work on Williams’ game last offseason when he thought he was going to get a chance to interview for the Charlotte Hornets’ then vacant head coaching job, via Clutchpoints.
Redick also commented on what fans can expect from Williams, saying he will provide that vertical threat when he's on the court with Luka Doncic.
"I think Luka can play a number of ways. It would be very advantageous for us to have multiple centers that can provide a vertical threat. We feel that Mark is a young starting center in this NBA and he provides that vertical threat," Redick said.
"I think we as a staff have a job to do in developing him as a screener, decision-maker in the pocket and on the defensive end. But we’re confident with is character, work ethic, IQ, that he’s going to be a really good player for us," coach added.
Mark Williams has averaged 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 23 games this season for the Hornets. He was sidelined for the start of this season due to a foot injury.
