{"id":43670,"date":"2025-08-04T20:44:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T20:44:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/43670\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T20:44:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T20:44:07","slug":"lakers-trade-for-48-million-center-gets-major-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/43670\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers Trade for $48 Million Center Gets Major Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Rob\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers<\/p>\n

A potential frontcourt move involving the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> and Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> may be losing steam before it even begins.<\/p>\n

According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints<\/a>, oft-injured Blazers center Robert Williams III<\/a> could already be dealing with another injury. Despite being floated as a potential Lakers target to back up Deandre Ayton<\/a>, concerns about his availability could derail any deal before it gets off the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne name who has popped up plenty recently is Portland\u2019s Robert Williams III, but league sources say he may already be banged up,\u201d Irwin wrote<\/a>. \u201cGiven his injury history and those whispers, the Lakers are wary of trading for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lakers Cooling on Injury-Prone Target?<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. It\u2019s been a brutal stretch. One that has defined his time with both Boston and Portland.<\/p>\n

Since being traded from the Boston Celtics<\/a> 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<\/a> in limited minutes.<\/p>\n

But none of that matters if he can\u2019t stay healthy. And the Lakers, reportedly, are taking that into account.<\/p>\n

Williams Still Has Value \u2014 Just Not on the Trade Market\"Robert<\/p>\n

GettyRobert Williams III<\/p>\n

Williams is entering the final year of his contract. He\u2019s set to earn $13.3 million in 2025\u201326<\/a>. In total, he\u2019s made $48 million across his NBA career. But with such a spotty health record, it\u2019s increasingly likely he finishes that deal in Portland. Or finds himself waived and available next summer on a veteran minimum.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/p>\n

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<\/a>. When healthy, he offers elite rim protection and energy. But \u201cwhen healthy\u201d has become the sticking point.<\/p>\n

With the Trail Blazers possessing a plethora of young centers and the Lakers in need of a reliable lob threat to pair with Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a>, this had the makings of a rare win-win trade on paper.<\/p>\n

Instead, it\u2019s starting to look like a non-starter.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tKeith Watkins<\/a> Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Lakers\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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