Sources – Blazers player Robert Williams III will undergo surgery at the end of the season

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III will be required to undergo season-ending right knee surgery, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Williams, who suffered knee and ligament damage during Sunday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, is expected to make a full recovery at the start of the 2024-2025 season, sources said.

The sources said that Williams is expected to undergo this procedure early next week.

Williams, who arrived as part of the Jrue Holiday trade with the Boston Celtics in September, was a trade target for several teams who hoped the Blazers would consider moving him before the February trade deadline. Portland was playing Williams with Deandre Ayton, who arrived from Phoenix as part of the Damian Lillard trade.

Williams, 26, has shown himself to be one of the league’s elite point guards, leading the NBA in field goal percentage allowed as the closest defender among players to defending 1,000 shots, at every second of the spectrum.

Williams missed the start of the 2022-23 season with the Celtics after undergoing offseason surgery on his left knee. He also tore the meniscus in his left knee in March 2022.

Williams had his best NBA season in 2021-22 and was a second-team All-NBA defensive selection as the Celtics reached the NBA Finals. He started 61 games, averaging 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.