With the All-Star break over, the Charlotte Hornets are back on business, which could mean that they are likely looking to boost their lottery odds and hoping for the best that their key players will be able to recover fully from their injuries.
The team will also have to come back to the reality that there are possible consequences to its Mark Williams trade. While there were reports that the Hornets had plans of disputing the Los Angeles Lakers' decision to fail Williams' physical with the league office, Adam Silver has revealed that they have yet to receive a formal protest from Charlotte.
Come to think of it, there isn't much an official complaint from the Hornets would do except probably salvage Williams' value and protect their reputation. Because the deadline has passed, Charlotte and Los Angeles can't redo or modify the trade anymore.
Mark Williams needs time to process what just happened
The only thing every party involved in the trade reversal can do is move on and accept the reunion with professionalism despite how awkward it could be.
Dalton Knecht has already made his return, suiting up for the Lakers before the All-Star Weekend. On the other hand, Williams has reportedly yet to come back (subscription required) to Charlotte. The good news is that it appears like a mutual decision, with the Hornets allowing the big man to "readjust being back with the team."
Still, the repercussions of trying to trade Williams, whom team governor Gabe Plotkin identified last summer as one of the franchise's foundational pieces, will likely be felt until the end of the regular season. Of course, it should provide the third-year pro with additional motivation to take his game to the next level. However, we can never know for sure what's going on in his mind, especially since it's possible that he is still adjusting to life in the NBA.
And even once he decides to return, Williams will need to deal with having two other centers out to prove they deserve to get significant playing time. If he were completely healthy, he would surely be at the top of the pecking order, but even that part is dicey.
So, with all the off-court concerns that can continue to hound Charlotte, it will be worth monitoring how they impact the squad's performance on the court. Interestingly, the first time we get to see the Hornets in action for the first time after the All-Star break will be against the Lakers. Let's see if there will be some bad blood there.