The NBA landscape is shifting yet again, and the Los Angeles Lakers are squarely in the center of it all. After acquiring Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart in back-to-back moves that sent shockwaves throughout the league, the Lakers are now listed as the +185 betting favorite to land defensive stalwart Robert Williams III. This marks a potentially transformative moment in the franchise’s ambitious push to retool around LeBron James and Anthony Davis while simultaneously preparing for life beyond the King’s twilight years. It’s a signal to the rest of the NBA: the Lakers are not waiting—they are acting decisively, and the rest of the league better take notice.
Bringing Ayton into the fold gave the Lakers something they desperately lacked last season: a true two-way center with offensive versatility and the stamina to log major minutes. While Anthony Davis has often functioned as the de facto five, his desire to operate more at the four, coupled with injury concerns, has limited the team’s ability to maintain consistency in the paint. Ayton’s arrival provides a natural complement, allowing Davis to roam more freely as a help defender and off-ball scorer while Ayton shoulders the burden of banging in the post and contesting at the rim. But the addition of Marcus Smart added another layer of defensive grit and veteran leadership to a team already featuring multiple championship-caliber pieces. A former Defensive Player of the Year and a proven floor general, Smart’s ability to take pressure off the aging LeBron in terms of ball-handling duties and perimeter defense cannot be overstated.
Now, the Lakers are eyeing Robert Williams III, the 6-foot-9 center affectionately known as “Time Lord,” to solidify what could become the league’s most fearsome frontcourt rotation. Known for his elite shot-blocking, rebounding instincts, and rim protection, Williams has long been considered one of the best defensive big men in the league when healthy. His energy and presence in the paint would make L.A.’s already formidable defense a nightmare for opposing teams. According to multiple league insiders, the Lakers have emerged as the frontrunners for Williams’ services, and the +185 odds currently being offered on several sportsbooks reflect a growing consensus that a deal is likely imminent.
The implications of such a move are staggering. A frontcourt rotation that features Ayton, Davis, and Williams III would give the Lakers an imposing trio of size, athleticism, and defensive tenacity. Unlike past Lakers squads that often relied on aging veterans or small-ball configurations to plug the middle, this iteration of the team would present a physically dominant, switch-capable defense that could contest every shot and dominate the glass. In an era where many teams have moved away from traditional big men in favor of perimeter-oriented lineups, the Lakers would be zagging while others zig—and in doing so, may be building an unstoppable wall of length and timing in the paint.
But why stop there? Part of what makes this development even more interesting is the broader context of the Western Conference. With teams like the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder boasting size and physicality at the five, the Lakers’ pivot toward a bruising, defensively-inclined frontcourt seems to be a direct response to those rosters. The Nuggets rode Nikola Jokić to a championship and remain a major threat, while the Timberwolves’ tandem of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert have continued to improve their chemistry. Adding Robert Williams III signals that the Lakers are not just trying to keep up with these squads—they’re planning to suffocate them.
Then there’s the injury factor. One of the biggest criticisms of Robert Williams III has been his durability. A history of knee issues has made his availability inconsistent, and any team considering adding him must weigh the potential upside against the risk of him missing significant time. But with Ayton and Davis already in place, the Lakers would be uniquely positioned to manage Williams’ minutes and workload, ensuring that he’s fresh and healthy for the postseason, when his skillset becomes even more valuable. In short bursts or extended runs, his ability to change the trajectory of shots and defend without fouling makes him an asset any coach would dream of utilizing.
