With the 2024-25 season in full swing, teams around the league are considering their options for a trade before February’s deadline. The latest intel out of Los Angeles suggests the Lakers will be active on the trade front this year and that they are one of three teams interested in pursuing young big man Robert Williams III.
“The Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings have held interest in the Portland Trail Blazers’ big man dating back to the offseason,” wrote NBA insider Brett Siegel.
Robert Williams, 27, was the 27th overall pick in 2018. Began his career with the Boston Celtics, where he showed flashes of star potential and elite defensive play. He made the 2021-22 All-Defensive team with averages of 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game on 73.6% shooting.
After helping the Celtics reach the Finals in 2022, Robert Williams was sent to the Trail Blazers in a trade for Jrue Holiday, and the rest is history.
Currently, Williams is having one of the best years of his career so far after an injury-riddled start with the Blazers. He’s averaging a career-high 10.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game on 73.6% shooting.
He’s not currently available in trade talks, but the Blazers might be compelled to give him up if the offer is good enough. As a young, athletic, and strong center, Robert Williams would bring much-needed depth to the Lakers’ frontcourt.
It’s no secret that GM Rob Pelinka has been on the hunt for some reinforcements down low, as there’s only one big man who can back up Anthony Davis right now. With another option at center, Davis could play his preferred position (power forward) and carry a lighter burden on both ends of the floor.
As one of the league’s worst rebounding teams, adding a young and athletic rim runner could help them with cleaning the glass and preventing second-chance opportunities.
With months to go before the NBA’s trade deadline, the Lakers still have plenty of time to consider their best course of action. At 10-5 this season, and 4th in the standings, the Lakers are seemingly within range of the West’s top teams.
With Robert Williams III in their jersey, the Lakers would become a much bigger threat with added front-court depth and an insurance policy for any potential Anthony Davis injury.
As it stands now, the Lakers would be screwed if Davis goes down but between LeBron James and a big man like Robert Williams, they’d have a chance to stay afloat until his return.
For now, only time will tell if the Lakers can pull off an impactful trade but there is no question that they are on the hunt right now given the frequency of these rumors. The Lakers believe they are close to a title and that one more move could make the difference between success and failure.
Robert Williams gives the Lakers everything they need and if Rob Pelina is willing to pay the price it could have major implications on the Western Conference hierarchy.
