Robert Williams is attracting interest from several NBA contenders, including the Los Angeles Lakers, as the league approaches free agency. Teams can begin formal negotiations with unsigned players on July 1, while talks with their own free agents are already allowed before then.
Williams, the former Boston center, has become an important reserve for Portland. In the playoffs, he averaged 21.6 minutes per game off the bench, and according to Marc Stein he is currently open to staying with the Trail Blazers. Even so, his market is growing among teams looking for backup rim protection.
The 29-year-old has dealt with a long injury history in recent seasons, but he played 59 games this year after appearing in just 26 combined over the previous two seasons. He earned $13.2 million last season and could seek a similar salary in free agency.
Portland also does not yet have a head coach for next season, a factor that could influence Williams' decision. In addition to Williams, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley are also free agents. The Trail Blazers have team options on Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan and Kris Murray, and all three are expected to remain with the club in 2026-27.