One position the Los Angeles Lakers will presumably be targeting this offseason is the center spot. In particular, the team will be looking to add a rim-running big man that fits well next to Luka Doncic, who has thrived with those types of centers in the past.
And with free agency approaching soon one name that has reportedly emerged as a real target for the Lakers is Robert Williams III, who has spent the last three years with the Portland Trail Blazers:
“The one name that basically picked up the most buzz, a lot of teams in Chicago last week, was Robert Williams. That’s the name,” ESPN’s Bobby Marks recently reported.
“You have to be cautious with that because of the games and availability, minutes. That’s the one guy who, I don’t want to say neutralized Victor (Wembanyama), but he guarded him probably one of the best in the playoffs in the first round. That would be the guy.
“He’s probably one of the top center unrestricted free agents out there and I think he gives you that shot blocker, rim protector, that guy that can be a lob threat for Luka. Now the question is what’s the cost? Is it $12-13 million? I think that’s kind of where his range is, but there will be other teams that also see that.”
Williams certainly fits the mold of being a lob threat on offense and rim protector on defense. When he has been healthy he has proven to be an effective player and he has plenty of postseason experience as well after spending the first five years of his career with the Boston Celtics.
But health and availability has been the issue for Williams throughout his career. He has played in just 85 games over the last three seasons in Portland and has never played more than 61 games in one year. Williams has had multiple knee surgeries throughout his career and lower body injuries are always even more of a concern for bigs.
That being said, Williams is coming off his best and healthiest season in years and if he can be brought in on a reasonable deal, he is exactly the type of big man that would be perfect playing next to Doncic.
Lakers reportedly hire Rohan Ramadas as assistant general manager
The Lakers are focused on building out their front office staff this offseason including hiring two assistant general managers and the franchise has reportedly found their first one in Rohan Ramadas, formerly of the New Orleans Pelicans, whose focus will be on the strategy, data and analytics side of things.
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