It remains to be seen how active the Portland Trail Blazers will be ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. All we know is to expect the unexpected, as this is already shaping up as one of the most shocking deadlines in NBA history.
The blockbuster trade sending De'Aaron Fox to team up with Victor Wembanyama was still minor compared to the trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. These teams that have already made deals are among several to watch at the deadline, as it's clear they'll need follow-up trades to balance their rosters better.
For the Blazers, in particular, one team to watch as a potential trade partner is the Lakers. According to Jake Fischer on The People's Insider, Los Angeles has had an interest in Robert Williams III before their trade for Doncic.
Losing Davis in the frontcourt only amplifies their need to acquire a defensive-minded big. It's a perfect fit that makes sense for both teams. Donovan Clingan is Portland's future starting center. Despite playing great, unfortunately, Williams has an extensive injury history that is an unnecessary risk for the Blazers to take on at this point in their rebuild.
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported that Williams and Jonas Valanciunas are "expected to command multiple second-round picks on the trade market, according to various NBA executives."
But if the Lakers, or any team, are hoping to acquire Williams at a discount due to his injury history and the Blazers' center logjam, it sounds like they will be disappointed.
Blazers' asking price for Robert Williams III is 'higher than most people would think'
Blazers insider Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report has consistently reported that Portland values Williams highly and needs to be 'blown away' with an offer.
The market under the new CBA may have shifted to value second-round picks more highly, as evidenced in the Lakers' trade for Dorian Finney-Smith. But to us, being blown away with an offer still means a first-round pick is involved. That interpretation also aligns with a recent article that Highkin wrote where he discusses the Blazers' potential trade deadline moves.
"As for Williams, the Blazers are open to trading him for the right return, but that bar is higher than most people would think. Various reports in recent weeks that Williams could be had for a handful of second-round picks scan mostly as wishcasting by other front offices. Williams’ injury history is something that would understandably give teams pause about giving up a lot for him, but he’s been good and impactful enough for the Blazers this season that they’re happy to keep him if they don’t get an offer that meets where they value him," wrote Highkin.
As Highkin also mentions, the Blazers value receiving a player who fits their timeline and draft capital, as evidenced by their past deals. Perhaps a team could still get a deal done without surrendering a first-round pick. But the fact that Highkin refers to the reported asking price of multiple second-round picks as "wishcasting by other front offices" makes it feel as though the Blazers' front office may be valuing Williams so highly to the point where no deal gets done involving him this deadline.
That wouldn't be the worst thing for Portland. If Deandre Ayton is on the way out -- whether in a trade this summer or after his contract expires at the end of 2025-26 -- Williams would be a great piece to have as the long-term backup behind Clingan.
Injury history remains a concern if the Blazers keep him. Still, in a backup center role, it's far less catastrophic if something, unfortunately, happens again.
But if this trade deadline has told us anything so far, it's that literally nothing is off the table.