A former Boston Celtics defensive menace continues to factor into trade rumors.
Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico recently released a list of each NBA team’s trade candidates. When it came to the Portland Trail Blazers, Amico mentioned a former Celtics center who, despite his immense talent, has struggled mightily to stay on the court for most of his career.
“I could see the Trail Blazers being willing to move on from Scoot Henderson if he doesn’t take another step this season,” Amico began. “But I doubt that will happen. Henderson should rise with Jrue Holiday in town. That leaves Robert Williams III.”
Williams, 27, has appeared in just 26 NBA games over the past two seasons and 51 games over the past three seasons. When he’s healthy, Williams is one of the best defensive assets in the league, and that was on display during his 2021-22 season in Boston, when Williams played 61 games, made the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and finished No. 7 in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The thing is, Williams has never been durable, which made it easier for the Celtics to swallow the idea of missing out on his upside by trading him. Other high-profile contenders, the Los Angeles Lakers included, have expressed interest in Williams, but he stayed put at last season’s trade deadline due to his ever-problematic health status.
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At this point, Williams’ greatest trade value isn’t basketball-related; it’s that he’s an expiring contract. The four-year, $48 million deal that he received from the Celtics will run out after the 2025-26 campaign, making Williams an unrestricted free agent.
Williams may end up turning into a huge “What if?” story in the NBA, but then again, there’s still time for him to rekindle his career. The tough part about injury prevention for Williams is that much of his value as a rim protector comes from his bouncy vertical, which is also the source of his leg problems when he lands. If Williams were to adjust his game in a way to guard against injury, he’d be removing his biggest strength in the process.
Hopefully, “Time Lord” will experience greater health fortune in the years to come and play a lot more NBA basketball. The league is better when he’s on the court.
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