The Portland Trail Blazers are fresh off two straight wins over the Timberwolves, but still sit 13th in the loaded Western Conference. Dallas and Minnesota played in the conference finals last season, but both teams would miss the postseason entirely if the season ended after the games on Nov. 13. The Blazers have a talented young roster with questions to answer about realizing potential. They are not ready to compete with the heavyweights in the West.
Portland should be opportunistic on multiple fronts. The 2025 NBA Draft class is stacked at the top, and the Blazers should focus on selecting in the top five. Beyond that, they should maximize the trade value of their veterans to try to speed up their rebuild. The franchise has not made the playoffs since 2021. Finding a superstar and amassing young talent is their path to returning.
Robert Williams III has struggled to stay healthy throughout his seven-year NBA career. He played just six games in his first season with the Blazers and missed the first nine contests this year. The 6’9 big man is finally healthy and quickly reminded fans he won't stay in Rip City much longer.
Blazers will trade Robert Williams before the deadline if he is healthy
Williams helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals in 2022 and the conference finals in 2023 before arriving in Portland. Teams know he can assist a contender when healthy, but he has appeared in more than 52 regular season games just once and never played more than 61 contests.
The Blazers do not need Williams. They acquired Deandre Ayton in the Damian Lillard trade and just drafted Donovan Clingan. Portland saw plenty of potential from Doup Reath last season, but he is buried on their depth chart. They want the rookie seventh overall pick to play, which does not leave enough minutes for Time Lord. The franchise sees Clingan as the team’s future, which should only further their desire to trade Williams.
There was zero wasted time after Time Lord returned from injury. Williams had 13 points, three rebounds, two steals, and one block in 17.0 minutes of action in his season debut. The 27-year-old took the production to new heights against Minnesota by scoring 19 points with nine rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. He is still a force in the paint and helps his team win.
Robert Williams missed Wednesday’s game and is unlikely to play in back-to-backs. His injury history is real, and the Portland Trail Blazers should trade him before it is too late. Williams can impact the game on both ends and will draw interest. It is time to act for the rebuilding Blazers. Williams gave the reminder, and the franchise must answer it.