The Hornets have been in contact with the NBA to explore options to dispute the Lakers' failed physical assessment of Mark Williams, sources told ESPN.

The Hornets have reached out to the NBA to challenge the Lakers' failed physical assessment of Mark Williams, ESPN reported Monday night, with the big man now back in Charlotte after a trade with Los Angeles fell through.

The Los Angeles Lakers have rescinded the trade to acquire Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams after he failed the team's physical, per Shams Charania. The trade, widely seen

The Charlotte Hornets are expected to dispute the Los Angeles Lakers' claim that Mark Williams failed a physical assessment.

Shams Charania: Mark Williams' physical with the Lakers showed multiple issues and the team failed him on the exam, sources tell ESPN. The physical was not failed due to his back, however. The trade was conditional on Mark Williams and Dalton Knecht reporting and passing a physical.

A failed physical torpedoed the Williams trade, which could be a blessing long-term. But it puts LA in a bind for this year's playoffs.

Williams heads back to Charlotte, while Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish and a 2031 first-round pick return to Los Angeles.