Deandre Ayton hasn’t competed with the Los Angeles Lakers for a full season and fans are already questioning if the franchise made the right decision to sign him in free agency.
At the time, it looked like a great move, as it provided the Lakers with more stability at the center position, so they thought.
With Ayton appearing disinterested at times and recording far too many lackluster scoring and rebounding performances, it would be in the Lakers' best interest to scour the big man trade target before Feb. 5.
According to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, an ex-Boston Celtics fan-favorite center should be on the Lakers’ radar.
“Lofty offseason aspirations must factor into the Los Angeles Lakers' trade-deadline approach,” Favale wrote Tuesday. “Is it really worth targeting players who, at minimum, will cost the one first-round pick they can deal (2031 or 2032)?”
“Upgrading the defense remains the principal priority. The Lakers must be careful how they go about it. They have a roster teeming with one-way players. Any defense-first bodies they go after shouldn't be threats to undermine the scoring attack.”
“Robert Williams III retains his vertical gravity along with his defensive mobility and disruption if he's healthy. This is a big if, but that uncertainty should permit L.A. to make a play for him without surrendering any serious draft equity.”
When healthy, Williams is a force to be reckoned with in the low post. From converting lobs in pick-and-roll situations to exploding for forceful above-the-rim blocks, Williams has proven he can be productive when he isn’t battling devastating injuries.
The Texas A&M product spent the first five years of his career with the Celtics, winning over the organization’s fanbase with his high motor and two-way contributions. However, Boston traded Williams to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023, and the former first-round pick has competed with the improved Western Conference squad ever since.
Williams is averaging 6.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game with the Trail Blazers this season, connecting on 74.2% of his field goals in 34 contests.
While Williams is a high-risk target, he wouldn’t be a bad option to consider.
More NBA: Lakers predicted to acquire $100 million four-time All-Star in Giannis Antetokounmpo-centered trade