Heading into the 2026 offseason, the New Orleans Pelicans have some questions to answer regarding who will be the team’s man in the middle for the 2026-27 season. Since the departures of first Steven Adams and then Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans has lacked true stability at the starting center spot. Whether it was buy-low options, young inexperienced centers, or in Derik Queen's situation, someone playing out of their position, the Pelicans were nightly outmatched at the five.
This offseason gives the front office the opportunity to change that, and while in some instances a trade could be used to upgrade the starting center spot, free agency is also a great option. With Pelicans President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars stating that he believes this group isn’t far from being a good team, it suggests he wants to keep this core intact for the most part.
In doing so, New Orleans' best way to address its weakness at the five could be through free agency. If that's the route they take, there’s no better option than Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams.
The former Celtics big man is coming off the second healthiest season of his career, appearing in 59 games for Portland, and could bring both experience and upside while filling a need for the Pelicans.
It’s time to bring the “Time Lord” to New Orleans
Sure, it may seem like a huge risk to bring in a center like Williams, who has had an injury-plagued career, but that risk could be worth the reward. As the primary backup center for Portland, he posted averages of 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 stocks (steals + blocks) per game. Those numbers are incredible, and while he may not have that same freaky athleticism that helped him build a name in Boston, as a basketball player, he’s only getting better.
After pretty much spending three straight seasons primarily on the sidelines, Williams' processing and decision-making are elite for a center. He reads short role situations better than ever, is timing blocks better, and is bringing elite anticipation to the glass.
On top of that, he has started showing flashes as a floor spacer. I’m not one of those people who believe that Zion Williamson needs a stretch five to be successful, but it would be a nice luxury to have. As the season progressed, the “Time Lord” flashed more of a willingness to pull threes than ever in his career. In Boston, Williams was always comfortable taking mid-range shots, and now that confidence has started to grow in his outside shot.
This season, he’s only attempting 0.4 threes per game but is converting on a 39.1 percent clip and has consistent shooting mechanics. Although the release and load are slow, Williams shoots his three-ball with confidence and even took three, going 1-for-3 against the Spurs in Portland's round one opener.
With Robert Williams hitting free agency for the first time in his career and New Orleans in need of a defensive anchor at the five, this could be a match made in heaven for both parties.
Add us as a preferred source on Google