The Charlotte Hornets made a deal in the wee hours Thursday morning, trading away center Mark Williams to the L.A. Lakers. In return, the Hornets received Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and a future No. 1 draft pick.

With Mark Williams now on the Los Angeles Lakers and Nick Richards on the Phoenix Suns, the Charlotte Hornets suddenly have a major gap at center. It was once a

The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring center Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade for rookie Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and two draft picks, a person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press.