The Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise steeped in legacy and championship expectations, are once again making waves in the offseason rumor mill. This time, they’ve set their sights on one of the most dynamic defensive big men in the league—Robert Williams III. As reports intensify linking the Lakers to the high-flying, shot-blocking big, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Los Angeles is serious about redefining its identity around toughness, defense, and athleticism in the paint. After a 2024-25 campaign that exposed the team’s lack of consistent interior defense, rebounding, and rim protection, the front office is wasting no time exploring options that could transform the roster. The pursuit of Robert Williams may not be the biggest name chase in recent Lakers history, but it could end up being one of the most impactful.
Robert Williams, affectionately known as “Time Lord,” has built a reputation as one of the league’s premier rim protectors. Though injuries have slowed his trajectory at times, when healthy, Williams brings a rare combination of timing, explosiveness, and defensive IQ that few big men in the NBA can match. He’s not just a shot-blocker—he’s a shot-changer, someone whose very presence in the paint causes guards to second-guess drives and forces offenses to adjust their game plans. For a Lakers team that was often outmuscled in the post and struggled to guard the rim without Anthony Davis on the floor, Williams represents a potential solution that could elevate the defense to elite status.
The Lakers’ pursuit of Williams isn’t coming out of nowhere. The team has been linked to several frontcourt targets this offseason, but few fit their needs as precisely as the former Boston Celtic and current Portland Trail Blazers big man. After being traded to Portland as part of the Jrue Holiday deal last year, Williams’ name has floated around trade circles as a high-upside piece who might be more valuable to a contender than a rebuilding team. Los Angeles, firmly in win-now mode as LeBron James enters what could be his final season, sees Williams as someone who could fortify the paint, ease the burden on Davis, and give the team a legitimate second interior presence.
The Lakers’ interior defense ranked in the bottom half of the league last season, particularly when Davis sat. Opponents feasted in the paint, scoring with ease and grabbing offensive rebounds at an alarming rate. That defensive deficiency became glaring in the postseason, where LA’s inability to contain penetration and protect the rim without sending help doomed them against more balanced offensive units. The acquisition of Robert Williams would address that weakness head-on. He’s the type of player who doesn’t need plays called for him to make a massive impact. His value comes in the form of effort plays—rotating on defense, cleaning the glass, diving for loose balls, and soaring for alley-oops in transition.
Offensively, Williams is limited in terms of creating his own shot, but the Lakers aren’t pursuing him for post touches or perimeter shooting. What he does bring is elite efficiency around the rim, especially as a lob threat. With playmakers like LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell (or potentially a new starting guard if other rumored trades come through), Williams would thrive in pick-and-roll situations. His ability to set bruising screens and then roll hard to the rim could open up lanes for shooters and create the kind of vertical spacing the Lakers have lacked since the departure of JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard in the 2020 title run.
More importantly, the move would mark a cultural pivot for the Lakers. For too long, the team has been criticized for prioritizing star names over fit, versatility, and defensive identity. Targeting Williams sends a different message. This isn’t about flash or headlines. It’s about grinding, about building a roster that can withstand the physicality and brutality of a deep playoff run. A frontcourt tandem of Anthony Davis and Robert Williams would immediately become the most intimidating defensive duo in the league, capable of switching, rotating, and smothering opponents inside.
There are, of course, concerns. Williams has struggled with knee injuries throughout his career, and durability will be a key consideration for the Lakers front office. With Davis also having a lengthy injury history, the idea of anchoring the defense with two high-risk players may raise eyebrows. But from a pure basketball standpoint, the fit is ideal. The Lakers have the training staff, resources, and depth to manage minutes strategically. If they can keep Williams healthy for the stretch run and postseason, the risk could yield enormous rewards.
Pulling off a deal won’t be easy. Portland won’t give up a young, elite defensive anchor without extracting value in return. The Lakers would likely need to part with a mix of young talent and draft compensation. Players like Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie, or even a re-signed Rui Hachimura could be included in discussions. Whether that price is worth it depends on how aggressive the Lakers are willing to be in their pursuit of a title over the next two years. With LeBron James turning 41 in December and the clock ticking on his championship window, every decision takes on heightened urgency.
There’s also the added benefit of what acquiring Williams would do to the locker room and team morale. Players know when a front office is serious about competing. Bringing in someone like Williams—who sacrifices his body, plays with energy, and doesn’t demand touches—would energize the group. It would challenge Davis to stay aggressive, give LeBron another trusted defender to rely on, and create a trickle-down effect on the team’s overall toughness. The Lakers have long needed an enforcer-type presence who does the dirty work without hesitation. Williams is that guy.
It’s also worth noting the strategic ripple effect this move could have across the Western Conference. Teams like Denver, Minnesota, and even New Orleans have big, physical frontcourts that the Lakers have struggled to match up against. Adding a second elite shot-blocker could dramatically improve their chances in a seven-game series against teams with dominant interior forces. Moreover, Williams’ ability to switch onto guards makes him a rare commodity in the era of positionless basketball.
This pursuit also speaks to the evolving strategy of Lakers GM Rob Pelinka. After a few years of headline-grabbing trades and roster experiments that didn’t quite gel, Pelinka appears to be embracing a more holistic approach. Prioritizing role players who fill specific gaps—defense, rebounding, energy—over high-usage scorers may ultimately prove to be the smarter, more sustainable route to success. In a league dominated by superteams, it’s often the complementary pieces who swing playoff series. Robert Williams, when healthy, is one of those game-swingers.
Whether the Lakers can seal the deal remains to be seen. Negotiations could drag on through the summer, and other teams may enter the mix, driving up the asking price. But the mere fact that Los Angeles is making this kind of move signals a serious intent to contend. They aren’t content with just making the playoffs—they’re aiming for banner No. 18, and that requires bold decisions.
Robert Williams may not be the flashiest addition. He won’t lead the team in scoring, and he may not even start depending on matchups. But what he brings—tenacity, defense, and championship habits—is exactly what this Lakers team needs. If Los Angeles manages to acquire him, it won’t just be about a new face in the locker room. It’ll be a turning point. A declaration that the Lakers are building not just around stars, but around substance. A signal that they’re ready to do the gritty, thankless work that separates contenders from pretenders.
And in a conference loaded with talent, that kind of commitment to defensive excellence might be the edge that propels the Lakers back into legitimate title contention. Time will tell if they land the Time Lord—but if they do, the rest of the NBA better take notice.
