Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III. Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Explosive center could emerge on the NBA trade market

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Nov 15, 2024 9:39 AM ET

Robert Williams is finally back on an NBA court after missing all but six games of the 2023-24 NBA season. The explosive big man was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics. Williams has made three appearances this season, averaging 12 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game.

When healthy, Williams is one of the most impactful rim runners in the NBA. He also has a highly underrated passing game, making him a threat when positioned away from the basket.

According to Masslive's Brian Robb, Williams could find himself back on the trade market this season. The Trail Blazers already have Deandre Ayton, Duop Reath and Donovan Clingan, who was the seventh pick in the 2024 draft.

"While a return to Boston is not going to happen, he will be worth keeping an eye on around the league on the trade market," Robb wrote. "The Blazers continue to have a logjam at center and Williams is playing well enough in his first week back healthy to catch team’s eyes again ... The Lakers have already been linked to him as a potential suitor but there are a host of East teams that could use him in the middle."

I don't care how many times I see plays like this from Rob Williams. This isn't normal. It should be celebrated. pic.twitter.com/zTa68DVKjM
— Adam Taylor (@AdamTaylorNBA) March 10, 2022

Williams has all the tools to contend for the Defensive Player of the Year award. Unfortunately, he's been unable to stay healthy throughout his entire NBA career. As such, his value around the NBA continues to remain low.

Nevertheless, he could be a genuine difference-maker if a contending team can get a healthy postseason run out of him. He has thrived as a starting center on a contending team before and could easily do so again.

Williams was never expected to stick in Portland. He was supposed to get moved on once a viable trade offer crossed the front office's desk. His injury delayed that timeline, but now that he's back healthy, it shouldn't be long before he finds himself packing his bags once again.

The Trail Blazers are committed to developing Clingan and making things work with Ayton. Williams is a luxurious headache that a rebuilding team doesn't need. As such, Robb is right: The explosive big man will likely be among the main trade targets heading into Feb. 6.

The bigger question is whether another team will be willing to roll the dice on his sketchy injury history and his $12M cap hit for the next two seasons.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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