Robert Williams III is staying in Portland after agreeing to a new contract before reaching free agency. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the veteran center has agreed to a three-year, $44 million extension with the Portland Trail Blazers, keeping him under contract through the 2028-29 season.
The agreement ends speculation that Williams could leave this summer after drawing reported interest from the Los Angeles Lakers. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line recently identified Williams as one of the veteran centers on the Lakers’ radar as the franchise searched for additional rim protection behind Deandre Ayton. Instead, Portland moved quickly to secure one of its most experienced frontcourt players.
Williams, 28, enjoyed his healthiest season since joining the Trail Blazers. He appeared in 59 games during the 2025-26 campaign after playing just 26 combined contests over the previous two seasons because of injuries. In 17.1 minutes per game, he averaged 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 assist while shooting an outstanding 70.8% from the field.
Although his offensive role remained limited, Williams continued to provide efficient finishing around the basket and impactful interior defense. His 72.6% effective field-goal percentage ranked among the league’s most efficient marks for rotation centers, while his 2.4 offensive rebounds per game helped Portland generate extra possessions despite his modest playing time.
The extension reflects Portland’s confidence that Williams can remain an important part of its center rotation alongside Donovan Clingan. The center started all 77 games last season, averaging 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, while Williams provided defensive versatility and veteran depth off the bench.
Portland finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 42-40 record, earning the Western Conference’s final Play-In Tournament berth before advancing to the playoffs. The Trail Blazers were eliminated in five games by the eventual Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs, but the season marked meaningful progress for a young roster led by Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe and Clingan.
Williams’ resume still includes one of the NBA’s strongest defensive peaks. During the 2021-22 season with the Boston Celtics, he averaged 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 61 starts while earning All-Defensive Second Team honors and finishing seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Injuries interrupted the following years, but he has remained an elite rim protector whenever available.
Across eight NBA seasons with Boston and Portland, Williams has appeared in 294 games and owns career averages of 7.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while shooting 72.0% from the field.
