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Possible Milwaukee Bucks Trade Target and Former All-Defense 2nd Team Center 'Available' in Portland

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 1:42 PM ET

Late Monday night, the Portland Trail Blazers swung a trade for Celtics point guard Jrue Holiday in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. Reports indicate that they are interested in further roster moves this summer. One Blazer being shopped is a potential replacement option for the Milwaukee Bucks at center as the incumbent Brook Lopez likely goes elsewhere in free agency.

Portland Trail Blazers Looking to Wheel and Deal

In the wake of the trade, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported on Portland’s subsequent offseason plans, per a tweet by NBA Central:

Much like Boston, the Blazers will continue to navigate the offseason with open arms regarding further trade discussions. Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III have been made available in trade talks dating back to before this past season’s trade deadline, sources said.

Even on an expiring deal, Ayton will be hard to move. He is owed $35.5 million in 2025-26 and, even assuming he can’t get that on the open market next season, the seven-year vet and double-double machine will want a hefty paycheck.

Williams also has only one year remaining, as well as an extensive injury history, but he is someone the Bucks could consider plugging in at center, either in the starting lineup or preferably off the bench, to partially replace Lopez minutes.

Especially in recent years, the 27-year-old has failed to stay healthy, playing a total of 61 games during the past three seasons. Since he began his career in 2018-19, he has played in only 235. The last time he enjoyed anything like decent health, he made the 2022 All-Defense second team. As Boston’s starting five that year, he averaged 10 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. He owns a career 72.3 FG%.

In under 20 minutes per game last season in Portland, he put up 5.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 1.7 BPG.

Because of his injuries, he isn’t exactly a reliable option, but the same problem and one-year rental status should also plummet his trade value. The Bucks should not be willing to give up much for him, but if they can get him cheap, he could be worth a flier. His shot blocking, in particular, would help compensate for Lopez’s departure.

Milwaukee Bucks Should Approach Potential Williams Trade with Lukewarm Interest

Honestly, Williams doesn’t even warrant surrendering Milwaukee’s 2025 second-rounder, the 47th pick overall. He could end up leaving after a single season during which he spends more time injured than on the court. No thanks.

A hypothetical offer, then: Pat Connaughton and a 2031 second-rounder for Williams and the rights back to the Bucks’ own 2030 first (Portland currently has swap rights)?

Williams doesn’t have much of a role with the Blazers right now. If Ayton remains on the roster, he will have to get minutes – you don’t pay a guy $35 mil to bench-warm. Portland is looking anyway to pivot to second-year center Donovan Clingan, the 7th overall pick in 2024. As a rookie, Clingan started 37 games and supplied 7.9 boards plus 1.6 blocks per contest.

For the Blazers, getting rid of Williams is an addition by subtraction scenario. The Bucks have no centers under contract. If they retain Bobby Portis, Williams could provide defense-oriented backup minutes, a nice change of pace. Under the right conditions, maybe the two sides could get a viable deal done.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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