Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams requires surgery on his right knee, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Williams is expected to either have season-ending surgery to repair bone and ligament damage in his right kneecap or undergo a cleanup procedure that would sideline him for two-to-three months, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania and Jared Weiss.
Doctors and Williams' agent are discussing what kind of procedure the 26-year-old needs and his potential recovery timeline, Wojnarowski adds.
Williams exited Sunday's contest early against the Memphis Grizzlies with the injury.
The Blazers acquired Williams and guard Malcolm Brogdon from the Boston Celtics in a trade for former All-Star Jrue Holiday in September. Williams is averaging 6.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks across six games this campaign. He received All-Defensive second-team honors in 2022.
Williams has reportedly become a trade target for several teams in hopes that Portland will move him before February's trade deadline.
The big man missed the first 29 contests of last season after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee, appearing in just 35 games in 2022-23. Williams also suffered a torn meniscus in March 2022.
