Robert Williams was floated as a potential trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers
Getty
Robert Williams was floated as a potential trade target for the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers need some midseason additions to improve the current roster. JJ Redick’s team has struggled on defense for stretches of the season.
According to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III could be a solid low-cost addition to help improve the roster.
“Even with Jaxson Hayes exceeding expectations, a higher-end big man behind Deandre Ayton is a need, too. Robert Williams III retains his vertical gravity along with his defensive mobility and disruption if he’s healthy,” Favale wrote. “This is a big if, but that uncertainty should permit L.A. to make a play for him without surrendering any serious draft equity.”
Williams has struggled with health and availability throughout his NBA career. He’s played 50 or more regular-season games in just two of his seven completed seasons in the league. However, he has suited up for 23 games during the current campaign.
Nevertheless, when healthy, Williams would provide Luka Doncic with the explosive rim-runner his skillset craves. Williams is one of the best lob threats in the NBA, while also being a legitimate shot deterrent and weak-side rim-protector.
The Louisiana native is in the final year of his four-year $48 million contract. Therefore, the Lakers wouldn’t be taking on too much of a risk. If things don’t work out, Williams could be allowed to leave during the summer.
JJ Redick Understands Deandre Ayton’s Frustrations
Before adding another big man to the mix, the Lakers need to figure out how to get the best from Ayton. Head coach JJ Redick believes the former first-overall pick is growing frustrated at a lack of touches on the offensive end.
“I think he’s frustrated, doesn’t feel like he’s getting the ball,” Redick said. “You know, there’s stuff we have to clean up vs. the shock for him to be more available. But I’d say it boils down to that.”
Redick then continued by detailing how the Lakers can do a better job of putting Ayton in a position to be successful.
“It’s on everybody,” Redick said. “We tried to run an ATO for him that was one of the ATOs we didn’t run correctly. There are opportunities for him to duck in at times, and he is not being active. There are opportunities for us to hit him when he ducks in and we’re not hitting him. So that to me, it comes down to, is he gonna be active and engaged and assertive? I think the trust level from the passer builds off that. But I think we’ve got to start trying to at least get him some touches before the seven-minute mark.”
Unlike Ayton, Williams doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be impactful on offense. He’s better suited to slipping off screens and throwing down lob passes, rather than needing to work in or out of the post.
Furthermore, Williams has shown signs of a mid-range game when healthy, and is one of the more underrated passing big men in the NBA.
Trading for Portland’s injury-hit big man would certainly be a risk. However, if Williams can stay healthy, he would elevate the Lakers second unit to new heights and potentially give them a playoff boost.