It won't be too long before people find out if the Charlotte Hornets still see Mark Williams as an integral part of their future. If they decide to shop him around, the question is whether they can find a team interested in him. Intriguingly, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report identified four squads that should see Williams as a "dream" trade target this summer.
The four Swartz suggested are the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors. That's certainly an interesting mix, as two of them are expected to be contenders next season, while the other two are undergoing a rebuild like the Hornets.
It remains to be seen whether Charlotte will be able to engage any of them in trade talks. However, the current landscape of the NBA is that there may be more emphasis from organizations in pulling off trades instead of focusing on free agency because of a dry market and financial complications brought about by the new CBA.
Mark Williams could be in demand this offseason
Perhaps the Celtics will be desperate enough to inquire about Charlotte's asking price for Williams. After all, they have just finished a disappointing 2024-25 season, where they failed to defend the championship and couldn't even advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jayson Tatum's injury may have doomed Boston, but such a deep roster should have been sufficient insurance against the loss of any of its stars. A huge letdown was Kristaps Porzingis, who disappeared in the postseason. With Al Horford nearing retirement, the Celtics could seek a new big man cornerstone in free agency or via trade
The Pacers might be the odd squad out on Swartz's list because they are one win away from joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Finals. They also have Myles Turner manning the starting center spot, and all indications have shown that the team is intent on keeping him beyond this summer. Interestingly, Turner would have been a perfect fit with Charlotte because of his two-way abilities.
Chicago and Toronto are fascinating suggestions, as both are expected to be on the lookout for a young center to aid in their rebuilds.
However, the Bulls have other offseason concerns to deal with, including Josh Giddey's free agency. So, finding ways to trade for Williams might not be their priority.
On the other hand, the Raptors already have a strong young core in their hand, with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley presumably having locked up four of the five starting slots. Williams should be able to complement those players well in the offensive and rebounding departments. Defense might be an issue, though, because of the 23-year-old center's still-underdeveloped rim protection.
But if the Hornets send him up north or any other club, at least his defensive deficiency wouldn't be their problem anymore. What matters is that they get to bring in valuable assets in return.