The Portland Trail Blazers have re-signed center Robert Williams III to a three-year, $44 million contract extension, ensuring he remains with the team through the 2028-29 season, ESPN reported Tuesday. The agreement keeps the veteran big man in Portland, a move that comes after Williams played in 59 games last season.
Williams, 28, has a career history impacted by injuries, having surpassed 50 games played in a season only three times. Despite this, he demonstrated his value last season by appearing in all five of Portland's first-round playoff games against San Antonio. During the 2023-24 season, he averaged 6.7 points, seven rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting over 70 percent from the field. His career field goal percentage stands at 72 percent, with an average of 1.6 blocks per game, highlighting his effectiveness as a rim protector.
Williams brings significant postseason experience to the Trail Blazers. His previous five seasons were spent with the Boston Celtics, where he started six games in the 2022 NBA Finals. Boston was reportedly interested in a reunion, but Portland's clear intent to retain him led to the extension.
Portland's roster includes other centers Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, who are also under contract for the upcoming season. The Trail Blazers have been active in the offseason, recently hiring Micah Nori as their new head coach and reportedly agreeing to a trade that would send Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis in exchange for Ja Morant.