The Los Angeles Lakers need any defensive help they can get. The Portland Trail Blazers have a defensive-minded center who doesn't play much anymore. Would a deal for Robert Williams III make sense for a Lakers team searching for any answers on that end of the court right now?
Well, sure. I think the Lakers would welcome anybody who can disrupt an opposing team's offense, and Williams — despite playing just 15 minutes per game this year, and sometimes not cracking the Blazers' rotation at all — still does that, averaging over 3 blocks per 36 minutes. The Lakers currently rank 27th in the league in blocked shots and 25th in overall defensive rating. Williams III wouldn't singlehandedly fix those woes, but even after years of injuries, he'd surely help.
A trade for Williams has a few barriers, though. The Lakers would probably view Williams as a flyer — but I think the Blazers still view him as an extremely valuable trade chip, despite Williams' continuous injury woes and his inconsistencies when he is on the floor. Finding a middle ground in his value will be a hurdle this deal must leap over before it becomes realistic.
But desperation is often an important factor in potential deals, and each day the Lakers grow more desperate to improve the defense somehow, some way.
Lakers need defensive help wherever they can find it
A trade centered around Williams for Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht does work financially, and it might make for both sides. The Lakers have a stacked backcourt with Luka, Austin, and Marcus Smart, but have no rim protectors to speak of.
The Blazers, meanwhile, have two young centers in Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen who they want to see develop, but lack reliable guard play and shooting. Vincent can bring ball-handling help, while Knecht can bring 3-point shooting the Blazers desperately need (No. 29 in 3-point percentage). I'm sure both sides despise this potential deal, which is a sure sign that it's a great trade.
It feels like a win-win to me. But aside from the specifics of any deal, Williams III is the kind of player the Lakers need to be targeting. It might be obvious, but it's a classic Occam's Trade situation; the most obvious solution is often the correct one. The Lakers need defensive help at all positions, and rim-protection is a good first area to address.