It's becoming increasingly likely that the Portland Trail Blazers move their big man, Robert Williams III, by the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Portland is considered to be more willing to part ways (subscription required) with Williams at this deadline compared to last season, when he was also a trade candidate.
A Robert Williams III trade feels inevitable
Finally moving on from Williams this time around makes sense for a number of reasons. The Blazers should consider him to be more expendable now that Donovan Clingan and, to a lesser extent, Yang Hansen are on the roster. Clingan was there last season as a rookie, but has now proven to Portland that he's capable of stepping up in an increased role following the departure of Deandre Ayton. With their long-term starting center solidified, Williams becomes much less important.
Of course, he's still provided value for Portland this season, especially with Hansen's steep learning curve as he continues to adjust to the speed of the NBA. But the Blazers clearly believe in Hansen long-term, otherwise they never would've made the unconventional first-round pick in the first place. It's unlikely that anything he's shown early on will drastically change their view of him, especially since he was always more of a long-term project.
The Blazers are high on two centers they've invested consecutive first-round picks in, which makes the 28-year-old Williams the odd man out of their long-term rebuilding plans. That would hurt them in the short term and leave them vulnerable in the frontcourt until Hansen is ready to hold his own to spell Clingan. Despite this, it's still a perfect time to trade the Time Lord.
His trade value may have relatively increased now that he's proven to teams he's impactful and healthy, looking more like the Boston Celtics version of himself. But the unfortunate reality is that Williams' extensive injury history makes him a hot potato that teams are better off passing before they get burned.
With his $13.3 million contract set to expire after this season, Portland should trade him at the deadline before having to decide whether to let him walk in free agency for nothing or continue investing in such a talented but injury-prone player that doesn't fit their rebuilding plans.
Finding a potential landing spot becomes more challenging. A team would have to be desperate enough for immediate frontcourt help to give up assets for an expiring contract. Two teams that fit that criteria include the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks. Los Angeles needs depth and defensive-minded reinforcements, while Milwaukee needs any roster upgrades they can get to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo around. Plenty of other teams could come into play between now and Feb. 5.