With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 5, the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves at a crossroads - and Robert Williams III is right at the center of it.
The 26-year-old big man, known for his rim protection and defensive instincts, has been solid when available. And that’s the key phrase: when available.
Portland has appreciated what Williams brings to the table - a two-way presence who fits the defensive-minded blueprint that GM Joe Cronin has been building. But the harsh truth is, availability has been the one thing Williams hasn’t consistently offered.
Let’s call it what it is: the Blazers are running out of time to make a decision on a player whose career has been defined as much by potential as by prolonged absences. Williams has only topped 35 games played in a season twice in his career.
Since arriving in Portland as part of the Jrue Holiday deal, he’s suited up for just six games in 2023-24, 20 in 2024-25, and 29 so far this season. While that’s a positive trend in terms of health, it also puts the Blazers in a tricky spot - because it might be their last real window to move him while his value is still intact.
Last season, Portland held onto Williams past the deadline, betting on his upside despite other teams reportedly offering little more than second-round picks. That decision backfired when injuries struck again. Now, with the clock ticking and Williams on an expiring $13.3 million deal, the front office can’t afford to take the same risk twice.
This time, there’s a stronger sense that Portland is ready to move on. Reports indicate the Blazers have made Williams available, and the logic behind that is hard to argue. Not only is he on an expiring deal, but the team has also spent back-to-back first-round picks on centers - Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen - signaling a shift toward developing younger, more durable frontcourt talent.
In a vacuum, Williams is a dream fit for a contender looking to shore up its interior defense. He’s mobile, instinctive, and a game-changer around the rim.
But in reality, his injury history makes him a gamble - and that’s true for any team, not just Portland. That’s why the Blazers likely won’t get a major haul in return unless he’s part of a larger package.
Still, his mid-level contract could be a useful trade chip if the Blazers decide to be buyers at the deadline.
If they’re not, and they’re simply looking to recoup some value before he hits free agency, the return might be modest. But even a modest return beats the alternative: letting him walk for nothing this summer.
The Blazers have about three weeks to figure this out. And while Williams has shown flashes of the player he can be, Portland has to make a decision based on the player he’s been - talented, impactful, but ultimately unreliable. It’s a tough call, but one that feels increasingly necessary as the franchise continues to reshape its future.