Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes recently named the one player on every NBA team most likely to be traded by the Feb. 5 deadline. For the Portland Trail Blazers, that player was their talented but injury-prone big man, Robert Williams III.
"Robert Williams III is looking healthier and more active than he has in a long time, which makes this the perfect opportunity for the Portland Trail Blazers to trade him," Hughes writes.
Williams is having his most productive season in Portland, averaging 5.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in 15 games (most importantly). He's only gone over 35 games played in two seasons throughout his seven-year career, so it's refreshing to see him on track to exceed that number this season. He could've played more than 15 at this point, but the Blazers are understandably taking a conservative approach to preserve his health, including sitting him out on back-to-back games.
Thirty-five games is a low threshold, but that's the brutal reality surrounding Williams' availability at this point in his career. He was expected to be a key asset in the return Portland received for its initial Jrue Holiday trade with the Celtics, but that hasn't been the case.
Williams finally looks like the healthy and impactful player Portland envisioned when they acquired him, which means it's a golden opportunity to sell high.
Robert Williams is the most likely Blazer to be traded next
Hughes suggests a contender could have interest in Williams at the deadline, writing: "It's not hard to imagine a contender taking a shot at someone who could legitimately swing a playoff game or two, especially with no long-term commitment attached to an expiring $13.3 million salary."
It remains to be seen what the Blazers could get for such an injury-prone player, especially considering he's now become a short-term rental with an expiring contract. But it's that same expiring contract that gives the Blazers a higher sense of urgency to move him by February.
NBA insider Jake Fischer previously reported on the Stein Line (subscription required) that it's expected Portland is more willing to move on from their big man at this deadline compared to when he was a trade candidate last year.
The Blazers invested consecutive first-round picks at the center position and should deem Williams as more expendable, especially considering he's not a perfect fit for their rebuilding timeline at 28 years old. After factoring that in with his improved health (trade value) and expiring contract, everything could be aligning for Williams' time in Rip City coming to a close.