Blazers retain big man Robert Williams III on $44 million contract

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Center Robert Williams III is staying in Portland, agreeing to a three-year, $44 million extension to remain with the Trail Blazers, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The extension will keep him in Portland through the 2028-29 season.

Williams, 28, has dealt with injury issues throughout his career, having only played over 50 games in a season three times. This past season, Williams played in 59 games and appeared in all five of Portland’s first-round playoff games against San Antonio.

He averaged 6.7 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season and shot over 70 percent from the floor.

Williams has been one of the best rim protectors in the NBA for much of his career, despite his injury history. For his career, he has a 72 percent field goal percentage and has averaged 1.6 blocks per game.

Even before this season, Williams had extensive postseason experience. He spent the first five years of his career in Boston and made six starts in the 2022 NBA Finals, where the Celtics fell to the Warriors.

Rumors had been flying around that Boston would be interested in a potential reunion with Williams, but after making their desire to keep Williams clear, the Blazers locked him down for the next three years.

Alongside Williams, centers Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen are under contract and will return to Portland next season.

Portland has been active this offseason. Last week, it hired former Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori to be its next head coach, replacing interim coach Tiago Splitter after he was hired by Chicago.

The Blazers also reportedly agreed to trade Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis in exchange for Ja Morant.