Blazers, Lakers Trade for $48 Million Big Gets Major Update

Jan 26, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) shoots a jump shot during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

A long hoped-for trade that could benefit the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Lakers has received a huge update.

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Unfortunately, sources inform Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints that oft-hurt veteran Portland reserve center Robert Williams III could already be hurt — even if he has been bandied about as a possible backup big man to support his ex-Trail Blazers teammate Deandre Ayton in L.A.

Ayton was bought out of his expiring deal with Portland amidst alleged chemistry issues.

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"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 writes. "Given his injury history and those whispers, the Lakers are weary of trading for him."

The Texas A&M product, still just 27, has been a health disaster for the past three seasons — and, well, most of his career.

Williams has played in just 61 of a possible 246 regular seasons bouts across the past three years. Since being traded from the Boston Celtics to the Trail Blazers in the summer of 2023, the 6-foot-9 big man has been even less available than he was at the end of his Celtics tenure, suiting up for a grand total of 26 games in two years.

So it's safe to say that Williams' trade market may be a bit chilly, although surely he will be able to find a new home on a veteran's minimum in free agency next summer.

In just 20 healthy games last season for Portland, Williams averaged 5.8 points on 64.1 percent shooting from the floor and 88.2 percent shooting from the foul line, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.1 assists and 0.7 steals a night. He cannot be relied upon to stay healthy.

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For more news and notes on the Portland Trail Blazers, visit Portland Trail Blazers on SI.