The Portland Trail Blazers are deep into a rebuild as the 2024-25 NBA season nears. After trading away Damian Lillard, it was an inevitability to happen. However, the first year went surprisingly well. Beyond the dud that was Scoot Henderson’s rookie year, Portland saw a lot to be happy about.
Both Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe had career years, and the trade value for their veterans are at a high. They already found a new home for Malcolm Brogdon, but a few names still remain on their roster.
While Jerami Grant as a 3-and-D wing is on the verge of a trade any day, the same isn’t true for Robert Williams III. His injury history makes him a permanent risk for any team he joins. As a result, most wouldn’t be willing to bite the bullet. However, there are a few destinations that could potentially line up for him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
At $13 million, at least his contract makes it less of a risk than any major star. Further, ‘Time Lord’ was a defensive monster in his last active stint, with growing playmaking instincts by the day. For any team desperate enough to tackle the injury risk, the addition is a no-brainer. But, which teams might bite the bullet?
Multiple Trade Suitors to Monitor
The case for the New Orleans Pelicans is relatively simple. The team lost almost all of its big-man rotation in the offseason. Starter Jonas Valanciunas is now a Washington Wizard, while Larry Nance Jr. was part of the Dejounte Murray trade. As a result, aside from rookie Yves Missi, they do not have a trustworthy name to man the middle.
That is where Rob steps in. A defensive ace, he would further shore up the interior for the Pelicans. Further, he brings enough of an interior offensive game to add to Zion Williamson and others.
The case for the Memphis Grizzlies, however, is a little more complex. While they have a bonafide DPOY in Jaren Jackson Jr to play Center and a rookie in Zach Edey, their best play comes with JJJ at the 4. While Edey could theoretically fill that spot at the 5, his rookie status makes it a question. For a team with high playoff aspirations like Memphis, trusting a rookie is going to be a hard sell.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
On one hand, adding Robert Williams III could be the easy solution. If he has a relatively healthy year, he fits in seamlessly with Memphis. A tenacious defender, he and Jackson would instantly make the Grizzlies one of the best defensive front courts in the league. Moreover, due to the outside shooting of Jackson, there wouldn’t be a logjam inside the paint with both of them on the court.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers?
For the Trailblazers, making a move is rather obvious. They have DeAndre Ayton as the long-term answer at the Center position. And Williams, due to injuries and age, won’t align with their current timeline. Instead, trading him for some future assets might be the best course of action for Portland. Expect Robert Williams III to be among the earliest players traded.
