On February 10, Beijing time, Evan Sidery of the Athletic reported more inside information about Mark Williams being returned by the Lakers, and his left foot injury was worrying. In addition, Sidery also revealed the Lakers' two major interior reinforcement targets this summer: Claxton and Turner.

Previously, the Lakers abruptly canceled the trade for Ma Wei and sent the 2.13-meter center back to Charlotte. Shams said Ma Wei was found to have a number of problems during the medical examination, but the cancellation of the deal was not the cause of the back injury. Subsequently, Sidery followed up by reporting that one reason why Ma Wei's trade with the Lakers was canceled due to a failed medical exam was serious concerns about his history of left foot injuries.

Ma Wei has missed 36 games in his career due to injury in this area, including missing the first 20 games of the season. This season, the Lakers' frontcourt players have been plagued by injuries, and Vanderbilt has been sidelined for as many as 42 games this season before his return. Wood hasn't made his season debut yet. They simply can't afford to risk getting such an injury insider, even if his style of play is a perfect fit for James and Doncic.

Medical expert Rajpal Brar said that the team will share the medical information and reports of the players, which may have given the Lakers "confidence" to trade Ma Wei initially, but it is not a substitute for an in-person physical exam, which provides more information by conducting a series of tests for various physical issues. The medical staff may notice some yellow or red signs (for example, an increase in wear and tear on the joints that they didn't expect) that make them uneasy about his long-term prospects, especially for players you expect to start and give up a lot of assets for it.

Now that the trade deadline has passed, the Lakers can only look for interior reinforcements in the buyout market, and it is expected that quality options will not come by. Pelinka has said they will consider a move this summer to get a center that fits the Lakers. Sidery reports that there are two names in the NBA that continue to be mentioned as potential trade targets for Lakers centers this summer: Myles Turner and Nick Claxton.

Sidery said that if the Lakers make a landslide offer to the Pacers, then they can get Turner on a sign-and-trade basis. And the Nets have been willing to trade Claxton for months.

The 28-year-old Turner is 2.11 meters tall and has averaged 15.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.8 blocks per game so far this season, shooting 47.5% from the field and 39.8% from three-point range. Claxton, 25, is 2.11 meters tall and has averaged 9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks per game so far this season, shooting 54.8% from the field and 7.1% from three-point range.