Portland Trail Blazers Center Robert Williams III could become a trade target, according to ESPN NBA reporter Brian Windhorst.
Windhorst, on a recent podcast, reported that Williams could be available. On Monday, Windhorst said the New York Knicks could be interested in acquiring the 7-foot-2 center.
“He’s a player who’s had injury problems, but he’s making $13 million,” Windhorst said. “They might be willing to part ways with him, and he could go to a contending team and be a big piece if he’s healthy.”
The Blazers’ potential trade of Williams has been expected since they acquired him last season from the Boston Celtics in a series of trades that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Any team looking for a center is going to be watching Robert Williams closely this year,” Windhorst said. “And I think the Knicks are going to be one of the teams that’s watching him. So as the season goes on, the evolution of that center position is going to be a big story week to week.”
Williams, 26, played just six games with the Blazers before a knee injury ended his season.
He is expected to return next season. The Blazers’ media day is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Portland has three other centers under contract. Deandre Ayton is the starter, and rookies Donovan Clingan, Duop Reath and Williams will compete for playing time.
When the Blazers acquired Williams and Malcolm Brogdon from Boston, it was assumed that both would eventually be traded to supplement the draft compensation the Blazers received for trading Lillard.
Donovan Clingan #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers watches the San Antonio Spurs during the first half of a 2024 NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center on July 13, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Spurs defeated the Trail Blazers 83-77. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)Getty Images
Williams’ injury made him virtually untradeable last season. This offseason, Portland traded Brogdon, two of the first-round picks acquired in the Lillard trade, and two second-round picks to Washington for forward Deni Avdija.
Williams, who has two years and $25.6 million left on his contract, could be a valuable defensive piece for a contending team, provided he avoids injuries. He missed 57 games for the Celtics in the 2022-23 season.
Williams’ injury history would undoubtedly impact how much compensation a team would be willing to trade for him. The Blazers could be forced to accept second-round picks unless Williams performs this season.
The Blazers, who selected Clingan with the No. 7 pick in June’s NBA draft, will put him on an aggressive development path behind Ayton, leaving few minutes available for Williams.
— Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
