Is it time to apologize to Mark Williams?

I wish LA hadn't backed out of that trade. Mark has been really good for PHX.

He's actually leading the team in win shares (1.8) despite only playing 381 minutes - 6th on the team & 259 minutes behind Devin Booker's 640. He's been the anchor to a strong defense despite the critics last season: [b]111.1 on-court DRtg (-4.8 rDRtg)[/b] in 381 minutes played. His individual rim contesting numbers (10.3 per 100, -1.8%) are nothing special, but he's had a genuine impact on opponent shots at the rim:

[b]rRim Accuracy On-Court:[/b] -2.2%
[b]Rim Accuracy On/Off:[/b] -6.0%

[b]rRim Frequency On-Court:[/b] -3.9%
[b]Rim Frequency On/Off:[/b] -5.8%

He's also posting a career-high STOP% (3.8). This statistic combines steals, offensive fouls drawn, and blocks recovered by the defense.

He's doing his thing on offense, too, which is to be expected. 12.3 ppg, 3.0 orpg, 0.9 apg, 0.9 topg on 68% TS in 25.4 mpg. 21.9% z-bound/selfORB own miss%, leading to a 71.7% selfORB-adjusted TS (85th percentile). Just quality rim-running. Imagine if he had Luka, Reaves, & LeBron feeding him... [i]Pelinka, why![/i]

EPM has him at +1.6 (+0.5 off, +1.1 def). For comparison, DeAndre Ayton's at -0.3 and Jaxon Hayes' at -1.4.

Lemme check on DeAndre Ayton and Jaxon Hayes' defensive numbers...

Ayton: (438 minutes)
117.2 on-court DRtg (+1.4 rDRtg)

rRim Accuracy On-Court: +6.5%
Rim Accuracy On/Off: +0.9%

rRim Frequency On-Court: +1.1%
Rim Frequency On/Off: +3.1%

Hayes: (218 minutes)
114.8 on-court DRtg (-1.0 rDRtg)

rRim Accuracy On-Court: +5.8%
Rim Accuracy On/Off: -0.4%

rRim Frequency On-Court: -3.7%
Rim Frequency On/Off: -4.9%

[img]https://media.tenor.com/Y_Rk28ONJtEAAAAM/signs-omg.gif[/img]

Looks like he's missed more games than he's played since he was drafted. Anyone signing him to a big deal is taking a major risk.

[QUOTE=tontoz;15044575]Looks like he's missed more games than he's played since he was drafted. Anyone signing him to a big deal is taking a major risk.[/QUOTE]
But they do still need to add something to beat the Thunder, Maybe not with Williams but they have to hit a home run trade tp make the final leap and Knecht for Williams (I think that was rthe core deal) could have been it.

[QUOTE=tontoz;15044575]Looks like he's missed more games than he's played since he was drafted. Anyone signing him to a big deal is taking a major risk.[/QUOTE]


Yeah. And somehow guys tend to stay healthiest in contract years remarkably, which is whats happening so far with Williams. Once he gets paid who knows.

I dont know whether rescinding the trade will prove right or wrong in the long term but I understand why they did it.

That said, hats off to him on a nice year so far.

I'm confused. What is he doing this year that he wasn't already doing? Seems to be nothing new so far. Just healthy for the first time in his career (for now).

[QUOTE=Real Men Wear Green;15044577]But they do still need to add something to beat the Thunder, Maybe not with Williams but they have to hit a home run trade tp make the final leap and Knecht for Williams (I think that was rthe core deal) could have been it.[/QUOTE]

The thunder? Making the playoffs and getting out of the first round maybe

[QUOTE=Real Men Wear Green;15044577]But they do still need to add something to beat the Thunder, Maybe not with Williams but they have to hit a home run trade tp make the final leap and Knecht for Williams (I think that was rthe core deal) could have been it.[/QUOTE]I can almost get there, but not quite.

Ayton & Hayes can probably give us enough rim protection, and an ok amount of rim running / vertical threat. But what Lakers really need against the Thunder, are long, athletic, versatile on ball defenders, with above 7ft wingspans, at least 6’7”, who also love running the floor and catching lobs. Younger DJJ’s … Peyton Watson can’t happen before the deadline, but can def happen in the off season, as well as Jalen Duren can happen in off season.