The Los Angeles Lakers have spent much of the offseason retooling their roster, eyeing a mix of star power and depth to compete in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. With the acquisition of Deandre Ayton solidifying the starting center spot, the front office has addressed one of the most pressing needs following the departures of several rotational bigs. But while Ayton brings considerable talent to the five position, the Lakers have a glaring hole behind him. It’s a hole that becomes more of a concern when factoring in Ayton’s own bouts with inconsistency and past durability questions. In a conference filled with dominant frontcourts—think Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, and Chet Holmgren—having a reliable backup center isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Enter Robert Williams III, a player whose availability has been a concern but whose impact when healthy is undeniable. The Lakers’ interest in bolstering their depth could make Williams the perfect low-cost solution in their pursuit of another championship run.
Robert Williams III, affectionately nicknamed “Time Lord” during his time with the Boston Celtics, is a unique asset in the modern NBA. His elite defensive instincts, otherworldly timing as a shot-blocker, and ability to clean the glass at a high level make him one of the more disruptive interior defenders in the league—when healthy. That’s been the caveat that has followed him through his career. After being sent to Portland as part of the Jrue Holiday deal last season, Williams played just six games before undergoing season-ending surgery to reconstruct his right kneecap and repair ligament damage. That injury marked yet another setback in a career marred by knee and hip issues. Despite these concerns, the upside Williams provides on a team like the Lakers—a contender seeking defensive identity and bench depth—is too compelling to ignore.
The Lakers have historically thrived when they’ve committed to a defensive identity. Their 2020 championship was largely predicated on their ability to protect the rim, switch effectively on the perimeter, and wear teams down with physicality. While Ayton can provide size and scoring inside, his defense has been inconsistent. Williams, on the other hand, doesn’t need touches to impact the game. He’s a defensive anchor whose very presence in the paint alters shot trajectories and deters drives. Pairing him with bench units—especially in minutes where LeBron James and Anthony Davis rest—would give the Lakers a reliable safety net on the interior. His rebounding prowess would also address the Lakers’ troubling second-chance point differential, which plagued them during stretches of the 2024-25 season.
There’s also a fit factor that shouldn’t be ignored. Williams doesn’t require offensive volume to stay engaged. His role as a screen-setter, lob threat, and put-back specialist makes him a plug-and-play option on virtually any team. For a Lakers squad that often struggles with offensive stagnation in its second unit, having a vertical spacer like Williams opens up possibilities for downhill guards like Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and even Jalen Hood-Schifino. The ability to suck in defenders on lob threats or punish switches on pick-and-roll actions could improve bench production without relying on isolation-heavy play. His presence would not only improve defensive schemes but add dynamic roll gravity to an otherwise pedestrian second unit.
Financially, Williams’ value is perhaps the most appealing part of this potential acquisition. After being traded to the Trail Blazers, his market value has dipped significantly due to injury concerns. That presents an opportunity for a team like the Lakers—who are dancing on the luxury tax threshold—to acquire a high-upside piece at a fraction of the cost of other backup centers. Whether it’s through a low-risk trade or the mid-level exception, Los Angeles could offer Williams a platform to resurrect his career while simultaneously addressing one of the most glaring deficiencies on the roster. With a limited pool of dependable rim protectors available on the market, especially ones who can defend in space and block shots at a high rate, Williams becomes an intriguing target.
