“LAKERS FRONTCOURT RELOAD CONTINUES? LA Emerges as Betting Favorite to Land Robert Williams III Amid Offseason Moves”
The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to making headlines during the NBA offseason, but this summer, they’ve taken a particularly aggressive approach to reshaping their roster. Having already acquired Deandre Ayton in a surprise trade, signed veteran guard Marcus Smart after his buyout, and re-upped Jaxson Hayes to add continuity to their bench, the purple and gold are now reportedly eyeing yet another piece to bolster their frontcourt. According to updated odds from Bovada, the Lakers have emerged as the betting favorites to land Robert Williams III, a player known for his elite shot-blocking, rebounding, and defensive instincts. At +185, the Lakers sit atop a list that includes the Golden State Warriors (+255), Milwaukee Bucks (+375), and even Williams’ former team, the Boston Celtics (+475). While no deal is imminent, the momentum appears to be building in Los Angeles toward another significant move.
Adding Robert Williams III would mark yet another statement of intent by Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and the front office. The team is clearly attempting to address one of its more persistent weaknesses over the past few seasons: interior defense and frontcourt depth. While Anthony Davis continues to be a dominant two-way force, the physical toll on him has been apparent, especially deep into seasons and playoff runs. By acquiring someone like Williams—who, when healthy, is one of the best rim protectors in the league—the Lakers would give Davis much-needed support and possibly even the flexibility to play more at power forward, where he’s long preferred to operate. Williams would not only anchor the defense when Davis is off the floor but could even share the court with him in stretches, creating a suffocating interior presence that few teams could match.
Of course, health is a major caveat when it comes to Williams. Over his five-year NBA career, he has yet to play a full season and has dealt with recurring knee issues that have limited his availability. But what he lacks in durability, he more than makes up for in impact when he’s on the court. During Boston’s run to the 2022 NBA Finals, Williams was a defensive lynchpin, frequently changing the trajectory of games with his shot-altering ability, weak-side rotations, and elite timing on blocks. Even in limited minutes, he can swing games with his effort and presence around the rim. If the Lakers believe they can manage his minutes and keep him healthy for the postseason, this could be a low-risk, high-reward addition that solidifies their identity as a defense-first team.
The potential acquisition of Williams would also align with the Lakers’ broader offseason vision of blending youth, athleticism, and defensive toughness. Deandre Ayton’s arrival already gives them a younger and more offensively polished big man compared to previous seasons, while Marcus Smart brings championship-caliber grit and leadership to the perimeter defense. Hayes, a springy center who began to show flashes of growth last season, provides depth and athleticism off the bench. Robert Williams, in many ways, fits the blueprint perfectly—a relatively young player with playoff experience, defensive excellence, and an upside that still hasn’t been fully tapped due to injuries.
But the Lakers aren’t the only team in the hunt. The Golden State Warriors are reportedly in the mix as well, which makes sense given their recent struggles protecting the rim and dealing with larger frontcourts. With Kevon Looney reportedly on the trade block and Draymond Green aging, the Warriors could use a younger, more explosive interior defender like Williams to rejuvenate their defense. The Milwaukee Bucks are another intriguing possibility. Despite having Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are always in search of elite defenders to maintain their physical style of play. Williams would give them another shot blocker and rebounder to rotate into a frontcourt already loaded with experience and talent. And then there are the Boston Celtics, who may be contemplating bringing back a familiar face depending on how their roster shakes out post-Finals. However, given that they moved on from Williams in a three-team deal last season to secure Jrue Holiday, it’s unclear whether the door remains open for a reunion.
What gives the Lakers an edge in these odds might not just be roster fit but also organizational momentum. There’s a growing belief around the league that the Lakers are operating with an aggressive win-now approach, despite looming uncertainty around LeBron James’ long-term future. With LeBron entering what could be his final season in Los Angeles and perhaps even the league, the front office is clearly committed to making one more deep push. Every move made this offseason seems to indicate a willingness to take calculated risks to maximize their championship window. Whether it’s the addition of Ayton, the savvy signing of Smart, or the potential acquisition of Williams, the Lakers are stacking the deck with versatile, defensively-minded players who can thrive in high-stakes environments.
Another factor working in the Lakers’ favor is the allure of playing in Los Angeles. The weather, the market size, the endorsement opportunities, and the chance to compete for a title with LeBron and AD still carry weight. Williams, who is still just 26, could find new life in LA, especially if placed in a structured system that prioritizes his strengths while minimizing his weaknesses. Being part of a defense coached by Darvin Ham, who prides himself on discipline and toughness, could bring out the best in him. Plus, the opportunity to work alongside Anthony Davis—one of the best defensive bigs of his era—could accelerate his development and re-establish his reputation as one of the league’s premier interior defenders.
From a cap management perspective, the Lakers will have to be creative. With big contracts already on the books and a luxury tax threshold to consider, any move for Williams would likely require sending out salary to make the math work. That could mean parting with rotational pieces or involving additional teams to facilitate a trade. But Pelinka has shown a knack for pulling off multi-team deals and navigating complex cap scenarios, most notably during the midseason turnaround in 2023 that took the Lakers from lottery-bound to Western Conference Finalists. If the Lakers truly covet Williams, it’s not hard to imagine them finding a way to get it done, especially if they believe he’s the missing piece.
Still, the question remains whether Williams is worth the gamble given his injury history. There’s always risk when adding a player with that level of medical baggage. But the potential payoff—especially in the context of a loaded Western Conference—could be massive. With the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder all fielding large and athletic frontcourts, the Lakers need to be prepared to battle in the trenches. A healthy Williams would provide the kind of defensive insurance they desperately need, especially if Davis misses time or faces foul trouble in key games.
Looking ahead, the Lakers’ pursuit of Robert Williams III could very well come down to timing, availability, and the level of interest from competing teams. But one thing is clear: the Lakers are not standing pat. They recognize the urgency of the moment, and they’re acting with a clarity of purpose that hasn’t always been visible in recent years. By continuing to target players who fit their evolving identity—defensive toughness, playoff experience, and high character—they’re putting themselves in position to contend not just for the playoffs, but for something more.
Should they succeed in landing Williams, it would cap off a remarkable offseason of retooling—a process that began with key signings and could end with one of the most impactful frontcourt duos in the NBA. And if history has shown anything, it’s that when the Lakers go all in, the league takes notice. Whether Williams ends up in LA or not, the mere fact that the Lakers are again leading the chase shows how serious they are about winning. And for fans of the purple and gold, that’s the most encouraging sign of all.
