The Los Angeles Lakers have entered an offseason of bold moves and aggressive maneuvering that signals they are fully committed to retooling their roster around the core of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Every summer in Los Angeles carries a certain level of expectation, but this year, the Lakers’ front office seems to have embraced the notion that the championship window remains open for as long as LeBron, even entering his 21st season, continues to defy age and expectations. The early stages of the 2025 offseason have already been eventful for the purple and gold. They have added former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, a player who has faced both scrutiny and admiration in his young career. They’ve secured the services of defensive stalwart Marcus Smart following a buyout that made him one of the more intriguing veteran options available on the open market. And they have chosen to bring back Jaxson Hayes, whose energy, rim protection, and lob-catching ability have made him a solid rotational piece. But what stands out most is the sentiment among Lakers insiders and fans that the team is far from finished when it comes to reworking its frontcourt depth. Reports are surfacing that the Lakers are positioning themselves as the betting favorites to acquire Robert Williams III, known for his relentless defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking acumen.
According to updated betting odds released by Bovada, the Lakers are listed at +185 to land Williams, placing them ahead of other suitors such as the Golden State Warriors (+255), Milwaukee Bucks (+375), and Boston Celtics (+475). This development not only underscores Los Angeles’ continued appetite for adding defensive-minded big men but also indicates that they are keeping all options on the table as they look to strengthen a roster that has often struggled with size and interior toughness in recent playoff runs. Williams, affectionately nicknamed “Time Lord” during his time with the Celtics, has long been viewed as one of the league’s most impactful defenders when healthy. His ability to cover ground, alter shots at the rim, and switch onto smaller players in pick-and-roll situations has made him a rare commodity in today’s NBA landscape, where big men are often tested on their versatility as much as their physicality. For a Lakers team that has historically thrived when anchored by elite interior defense, the possibility of pairing Williams with Anthony Davis could form one of the most formidable frontcourt duos in the league.
The pursuit of Robert Williams III makes sense for several reasons, both strategic and financial. For one, the Lakers know that while Davis remains one of the best two-way bigs in the NBA, his long-term health is always a concern, given his history of injuries. By adding another elite rim protector, Los Angeles would not only ease the defensive burden on Davis but also give head coach Darvin Ham more flexibility in deploying Davis as a roaming help defender rather than the sole anchor in the paint. In addition, Williams’ style of play complements Davis’ skill set in ways that could make them an ideal pairing. Whereas Davis has developed into a capable midrange shooter and even a threat from beyond the arc, Williams thrives as a vertical spacer and rim-runner. His presence would likely open up driving lanes for LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell, while also giving the Lakers a second line of defense behind their perimeter players.
The betting odds favoring the Lakers in the Williams sweepstakes may reflect more than just speculation. League insiders believe that the front office, led by Rob Pelinka, has been quietly exploring avenues to create the necessary cap flexibility and trade assets to make such a move possible. While Ayton’s addition is significant, there is a growing sense that the Lakers are not entirely satisfied with their frontcourt rotation. Ayton, for all his talents as a post scorer and rebounder, has occasionally been criticized for lapses in defensive intensity. Marcus Smart, while a defensive game-changer on the perimeter, cannot be expected to guard opposing centers or protect the rim. Hayes, though athletic, remains more of a high-energy backup than a starting-caliber big on a championship team. Williams would fill that gap with a level of interior defense and rebounding that could take Los Angeles’ defense to another level.
What makes the Lakers’ interest in Williams particularly intriguing is the competitive landscape of the Western Conference. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder have built rosters that emphasize length, athleticism, and depth in the frontcourt. The Lakers, despite their superstar power, have struggled at times to match up with elite frontlines, especially those that can crash the glass and dominate the paint. In last year’s playoffs, the Lakers’ early exit was attributed in part to their inability to consistently protect the rim and control rebounds against bigger, more physical teams. By targeting Williams, the Lakers appear to be addressing this weakness head-on.
The Golden State Warriors, one of the teams trailing Los Angeles in the odds, also represent an interesting wrinkle in this narrative. The Warriors have been searching for a reliable rim protector for years, and their interest in Williams is no surprise. However, the Lakers’ willingness to push all their chips toward adding defensive depth might give them an edge. The Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, meanwhile, have their own motivations for exploring a move for Williams. The Bucks, with Giannis Antetokounmpo in his prime, know that their championship aspirations rely heavily on surrounding him with versatile defenders who can ease his workload in the paint. The Celtics, Williams’ former team, have a familiarity with his game that could make them a dark horse to bring him back, though salary cap constraints may limit their ability to do so.
The Lakers’ front office has developed a reputation for making bold, sometimes surprising moves that pay dividends in the long run. When they acquired Anthony Davis in 2019, there were skeptics who questioned whether the team had given up too many assets. The end result was a 2020 championship, silencing critics and validating their aggressive approach. The pursuit of Robert Williams III, if successful, could have a similar impact. While it’s not a move that would dominate headlines like the acquisition of a superstar, it’s the kind of strategic, under-the-radar addition that championship teams often make to round out their rosters.
From a narrative standpoint, the addition of Marcus Smart is worth examining in the context of a potential Williams deal. Smart and Williams formed a strong defensive tandem during their time together in Boston, anchoring a Celtics team that was routinely among the league’s best defenses. Reuniting them in Los Angeles would not only bring immediate chemistry but also create a defensive identity that has at times eluded the Lakers in recent seasons. Smart’s fiery leadership and ability to guard multiple positions make him an ideal backcourt complement to Williams’ rim protection. In many ways, the Lakers’ pursuit of Williams can be seen as an attempt to replicate the kind of defensive versatility and intensity that made Boston so formidable during their deep playoff runs.
The addition of Deandre Ayton also complicates, but in some ways enhances, the Lakers’ pursuit of Williams. Ayton, a former Phoenix Suns standout, brings a different skill set—he is more of a traditional center who can score in the post, knock down mid-range jumpers, and battle for rebounds. However, he is not the same kind of elite rim protector as Williams. The possibility of a frontcourt rotation that includes Ayton, Davis, and Williams would give the Lakers unprecedented flexibility. They could go big against teams with size, or deploy Davis at power forward with Williams as the defensive anchor. It’s the kind of versatility that head coach Darvin Ham has long desired, as it would allow him to mix and match lineups depending on matchups.
In addition to the basketball fit, Williams’ contract situation makes him an intriguing target. While he is not on a superstar-level contract, his value as an elite role player is undeniable. The challenge for the Lakers will be structuring a deal that not only matches salaries but also preserves their ability to maintain depth at other positions. Recent reports suggest that the Lakers are exploring the possibility of including draft capital and mid-level contracts to facilitate a trade. While the specifics remain unclear, it’s evident that Pelinka and the front office are prepared to be aggressive in their pursuit.
The broader implications of this move cannot be ignored. The Lakers operate in a market where expectations are always championship or bust. With LeBron James nearing the twilight of his career, every offseason move carries extra weight. The front office knows that the margin for error is razor-thin, and that the window to compete for titles could close abruptly if they fail to surround LeBron and Davis with the right supporting cast. By adding Ayton, Smart, and potentially Williams, the Lakers would be sending a clear message to the league: they are not content with simply making the playoffs; they are aiming to compete for a championship in the loaded Western Conference.
To truly understand the significance of this pursuit, one must look at the evolving identity of the Lakers over the past few seasons. When they won the title in 2020, their success was built on a foundation of elite defense, physicality, and size. Players like Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee provided a defensive presence that complemented Davis perfectly. In the years since, the Lakers have drifted away from that formula, often opting for smaller, more perimeter-oriented lineups. While that approach has had its moments, it has also left them vulnerable against teams with dominant frontlines. The pursuit of Williams signals a return to that championship blueprint—one that prioritizes defense, rim protection, and rebounding as the cornerstones of success.
