On Robert Williams, from the Athletic: "When I've asked around about what other teams would consider a reasonable price point, I've gotten anything from a late first-rounder to a couple of second-rounders."
"On a per-minute basis, there won't be another big available at the deadline as impactful as Williams. He's averaging 9.4 points and 5.6 rebounds with a steal and 1.6 blocks per game in just 18.5 minutes per contest. He's an utterly terrific defender across the board, having made an All-Defense team back in 2022 for the Celtics before injuries wiped out his next two seasons. He is elite in help defense, versatile in ball-screen coverages and communicates. He's also a perfect low-usage offensive big man. He finishes over 70 percent of his shots at the rim, but he also throws terrific short-roll passes and screens well at the top of actions for guards.
Alas, the injuries are a significant worry. He's played just 41 games in the last two years and has never played more than 61 in a single season. He's already missed 18 of Portland's first 26 games this year, too, as his knees have never consistently held up. Teams will ask whether they can trust him to get to playoff time in a healthy state given his history. However, the price point is right, as when he's on the court, his $12.5 million contract is a steal with only one year remaining at $13.3 million. When I've asked around about what other teams would consider a reasonable price point, I've gotten anything from a late first-rounder to a couple of second-rounders. But with the team having used a draft pick this year on Donovan Clingan and Deandre Ayton seeming like a difficult sell on the trade market, it would make sense for the Blazers to explore Williams' market."
