Last season, the Portland Trail Blazers had a guard logjam between Malcolm Brogdon, Scoot Henderson, and Anfernee Simons that needed to be sorted out. That issue was finally addressed this past offseason when Brogdon was traded to the Washington Wizards for Deni Avdija -- a move that's looking better by the day as Avdija finds his footing and his three-point shooting continues to improve in Portland.
But now the Blazers and GM Joe Cronin have a new problem to solve: having four quality centers on the roster. It's an excellent position to be in. It's also easy to see how the Blazers ended up in this situation, as each move offered great value individually.
Blazers' center logjam creates trade deadline dilemma
Deandre Ayton was part of the package that allowed Portland to land a hidden gem in Toumani Camara. It also helped them move off of Jusuf Nurkic, and we all know how well that is going in Phoenix.
Robert Williams III is finally healthy after playing just six games last season with Portland before undergoing knee surgery. He looks like the impactful two-way big man that he was in Boston.
Duop Reath was a hidden gem as an undrafted rookie last season who provides another dimension with his floor spacing ability when given the opportunity.
Most recently, the Blazers lucked out by having Donovan Clingan fall to them at No. 7 in the 2024 NBA Draft.
In the early stages of their rebuild, the focus has been on accumulating as much talent as possible, regardless of positional fit. But eventually, at least one of Ayton or Williams needs to be moved. Both players have valid reasons to be traded. For Ayton, it's the fact that he is the Blazers' highest-paid player at $34 million, and his impact on winning isn't worth that price point. For Williams, it's his extensive injury history.
It's clear that Clingan will eventually become Portland's starting center in the long term. On his rookie deal, he's much cheaper compared to Ayton. He also brings the same elite defense as Williams but without the injury concerns -- and is a much better fit for their timeline at seven years younger.
Portland may not trade Ayton or Williams before the deadline
The reasons for a trade are obvious, but that doesn't necessarily mean a move will happen prior to the Feb. 6 deadline. Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report recently rated the chances (subscription required) of players getting traded on a scale of one to ten, giving Williams a four and Ayton a two. Jerami Grant and Simons were given a seven and a six, respectively.
For the reason behind Williams' rating, Highkin wrote, "They really don't want to move him unless someone blows them away with an offer." As for Ayton, Highkin said, "There won't be much of a market before the deadline, more likely to do a deal in the summer." He notes Ayton's expiring deal next season and the fact that teams have more financial flexibility in the offseason as reasons for an Ayton deal unlikely to be made anytime soon.
The Blazers' reported preference to keep Williams around aligns with what Jake Fischer wrote on The Stein Line (subscription required), saying that the Blazers "aren't eager to part ways with Williams just yet."
Of the two veteran centers, it makes sense that Highkin gave Williams a higher likelihood to be traded before Feb. 6. Although Portland needs to be blown away by a trade offer to move Williams, that remains a possibility, considering Williams is 'perhaps the most coveted center on the market,' according to Fischer.
Portland should strongly consider trading Williams before the deadline and Ayton this summer. Williams' injury history makes it an unnecessary risk to take on. And if they like the idea of keeping him around long-term, then why aren't they playing him? Williams recently recorded three consecutive DNP - coach's decisions. The Blazers need to cash in their chips while Williams' value remains high.