The NBA trade deadline is two weeks away and teams are ramping up their trade discussions to solidify their status as contenders. The Western Conference has been a bloodbath this season, with just 4.5 games separating the No. 5 seed and the No. 12 seed.
Minor improvements can go a long way for every team in this mix. As a result, the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors are reportedly interested in Portland Trail Blazers‘ big-man Robert Williams III, according to Brett Seigel.
“In addition to the Rockets holding discussions with the Blazers centered on Williams, the big man has also generated interest from the LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference from the summer to this point in the 2024-25 season, sources said. Both the Clippers and Lakers have been known to hold interest in adding frontcourt help before the deadline.”
Williams is averaging 5.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in a crowded center rotation for the Blazers. He’s averaging just 16.7 minutes per game, with many contending teams seeing value in Williams as a backup or starting center.
The team has to prioritize playing Deandre Ayton because he’s on a max contract which they’re on the hook for until 2026. Rookie Donovan Clingan was drafted with the hope that he likely will be the franchise center in the future. His development will be prioritized and ensure minutes for him.
This leaves Williams and Duop Reath fighting for third-string minutes, which results in both barely playing enough to impact the game. There are also concerns about playing Williams out due to his injury history, so it might be the perfect time to move off him as other teams are showing interest in his already-proven skill set as a defensive big.
How Would Robert Williams Impact Teams If They Acquired Him?
The Lakers have been in the market for a center for a while now, with the team likely having had a preliminary conversation for Williams already. His trade value shouldn’t be too expensive given his limited minutes and injury struggles, but the Lakers might be forced to overpay if the interest in Williams is as robust as reported.
The Warriors have one of the weakest center rotations in the NBA, often relying on the 6’6″ Draymond Green playing the role to field competent lineups. Williams would likely become the team’s starter and excel as a rim-protector and rebounder for the franchise.
The Clippers don’t have a competent big man behind Ivica Zubac, who has had to endure heavy minutes all season long to keep the Clippers competitive. With the franchise establishing itself as a Playoff threat, adding an athletic center like Williams would greatly improve their depth and versatility.
Finally, it seems like the Rockets are the most advanced team in the Williams conversations right now. They have a matching salary like Steven Adams and a surplus of draft assets they could easily send to Portland to make this deal happen. Although the team also had Jock Landale on the bench behind Alperen Sengun, Williams gives the defense-mined Ime Udoka a big-man option he will feel more comfortable with.
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