The Portland Trail Blazers were one of only a few teams that sat out last year's historically chaotic trade deadline. If that changes this season, look for center Robert Williams III to be traded by Feb. 5.
NBA insider Jake Fischer recently reported via The Stein Line on Substack (subscription required) that Portland is likely more willing to trade its big man this time around.
"I've also been told that Portland is forecasted to be more willing to move Robert Williams III this season compared to last season, when the Trail Blazers maintained a high asking price for the oft-injured big man," Fischer writes.
Robert Williams III could be on the move at the deadline
The keyword here is "forecasted." We went through the same talks last year surrounding Williams, when Portland was supposedly willing to trade him for multiple second-round picks. After the deadline had passed, Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report noted that the asking price was mainly "wishcasting" by other front offices.
Portland's front office has valued Williams highly from the start, identifying him as a key asset in their initial Jrue Holiday trade with the Boston Celtics. He's a perfect fit for their team identity, giving Portland another dimension in the frontcourt and a more versatile option who is better equipped to guard out on the perimeter than either of their two recent first-round selections.
That said, they are likely forecasted to be more willing to move on, because, well, it's now more logical for them to do so.
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It's those very first-round picks, Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen, that make Williams more expendable. He's also proving to be impactful and relatively healthy for the Blazers this season, averaging 4.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in just 13.1 minutes per game, which should further increase his trade value.
With his contract set to expire after the season, it's the perfect time for the Blazers to move on. It's unlikely Portland can get anything significant in return, given Williams' injury history, but they'd still be better off receiving some assets rather than extending him or letting him walk for nothing.
He's been an ideal backup center to spell Clingan this season, serving as a bridge for Portland until Hansen can adjust to the NBA's speed. Still, Portland's front office, despite its trade for Holiday, has emphasized a long-term approach regarding its rebuilding timeline. They have already committed to Clingan and Hansen as their frontcourt of the future, and there's simply no room to keep Williams around. Not only is he unreliable due to an unfortunate injury history, but keeping Williams also risks hindering Hansen's development if their rookie is unable to crack the rotation for an extended period.
The Blazers wisely bought out Deandre Ayton this summer to prioritize their up-and-coming frontcourt. And although Hansen remains a work in progress, Clingan's play as of late should make them comfortable moving on from Williams as well.
They likely should've traded him last season when they had the opportunity, but Portland can't afford to risk losing any more value on one of the biggest injury liabilities in the league. It would hurt to see him go, as Williams has provided the Blazers with an exciting lob threat and versatile defender, but they must continue to play the long game.