Jaxson Hayes is currently penciled in as the backup center for the Los Angeles Lakers heading into 2025-26. There are certainly far worse alternatives this roster could be stuck with. However, the opportunity to secure an upgrade like Robert Williams III should not be overlooked.
Williams is under threat of being buried in the Portland Trail Blazers' depth chart. The former first-round pick is too good to waste away on a rebuilding team that will be favoring other players in the frontcourt during the upcoming campaign.
The Blazers have invested high picks into their center position over the last two offseasons. The 2024 NBA Draft featured Donovan Clingan being selected with the 7th overall pick. The 2025 NBA Draft saw Yang Hansen on his way to Portland at pick number 16.
It would be reasonable to expect both those youngsters getting priority in Chauncey Billups' rotations next year. With Williams looking more and more like the odd man out, Rob Pelinka would be wise to seize a golden opportunity to relegate Hayes to third in the Lakers' pecking order at center.
Two-way impact of Robert Williams III cannot be ignored by Lakers
Williams has spent a lot of time in recent seasons attempting to get healthy. Doing extensive homework on the Blazers center to avoid a possible repeat of a situation akin to that of Mark Williams is necessary.
Assuming there is faith in where Williams' health is at heading into 2025-26, there are a lot of reason to like the potential addition. The on-court impact speaks for itself.
At his best, Williams has been a very dependable defensive option in the frontcourt. Per-36 minutes, the Blazers big man has averaged 2.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game in his career.
Likewise, Williams rebounds better than his size. His per-36 metrics have him pulling down 12.1 rebounds per game through his seven years in the NBA.
2022-23 Robert Williams lob-catching https://t.co/onOFY5VQgd pic.twitter.com/QrYe1lqTSz
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) July 25, 2025
Offensively, the role would be simple. Catch lobs from Luka Doncic, operating out of the dunker spot and the pick-and-roll. Cleaning up the offensive glass would also allow Williams some easy points.
There is good news to be had in this scenario off the court too. Williams would arrive on a one-year deal, allowing the Lakers to maintain the financial flexibility they have continued to covet.
The Blazers center is due $13.2 million next season. The Lakers can capitalize on one of their many expiring contracts in trade negotiations. Granted, unless Rui Hachimura is the contract in question, which shouldn't be the plan, there would be some additional work needed to navigate their current financial constraints.
Ultimately, the Lakers would not need to move heaven and earth to get the deal done. Bringing back Hayes revealed some comfort in continuing to have him operate in the rotation. However, this is an upgrade that would be tough to ignore as Pelinka gets closer to the start of training camp.