A potential frontcourt move involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers may be losing steam before it even begins.
According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, oft-injured Blazers center Robert Williams III could already be dealing with another injury. Despite being floated as a potential Lakers target to back up Deandre Ayton, concerns about his availability could derail any deal before it gets off the ground.
“One name who has popped up plenty recently is Portland’s Robert Williams III, but league sources say he may already be banged up,” Irwin wrote. “Given his injury history and those whispers, the Lakers are wary of trading for him.”
Lakers Cooling on Injury-Prone Target?
Williams, still just 27, has struggled to stay on the floor for most of his career. Over the past three regular seasons, the Texas A&M product has played in just 61 out of a possible 246 games. It’s been a brutal stretch. One that has defined his time with both Boston and Portland.
Since being traded from the Boston Celtics to the Blazers in the summer of 2023, Williams has appeared in just 26 total games. That includes only 20 games last season. He did post solid per-game numbers: 5.8 points on 64.1% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.1 assists, and 0.7 steals in limited minutes.
But none of that matters if he can’t stay healthy. And the Lakers, reportedly, are taking that into account.
Williams Still Has Value — Just Not on the Trade Market
GettyRobert Williams III
Williams is entering the final year of his contract. He’s set to earn $13.3 million in 2025–26. In total, he’s made $48 million across his NBA career. But with such a spotty health record, it’s increasingly likely he finishes that deal in Portland. Or finds himself waived and available next summer on a veteran minimum.
The Lakers have been exploring frontcourt depth options behind Ayton. The rotation still lacks a reliable rim protector off the bench. Williams, on paper, could have been a steal. But durability concerns are hard to ignore.
Looking Ahead
In six seasons with the Celtics and Blazers, Williams has career averages of 7.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks across 235 games. When healthy, he offers elite rim protection and energy. But “when healthy” has become the sticking point.
With the Trail Blazers possessing a plethora of young centers and the Lakers in need of a reliable lob threat to pair with Luka Dončić, this had the makings of a rare win-win trade on paper.
Instead, it’s starting to look like a non-starter.
