PORTLAND, OREGON – JANUARY 18: Robert Williams III #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during … [+]
The 2025 NBA Trade Deadline is a little over a week away (Thursday, February 6), and while most of the conversation will revolve around whether or not Jimmy Butler and De’Aaron Fox will find new homes before the clock strikes 3:00 PM EST, there is one player that every team in search of a backup center should be inquiring about.
If you hadn’t already guessed from the cover image, that individual is Portland Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams III. Despite only playing 17 of his team’s 47 games, the former All-League Defender has shined bright in the moments he has been healthy, making him one of the better under-the-radar assets this trade deadline cycle.
Robert Williams The Defensive Stopper
Williams, aka “Timelord,” burst onto the scene during the 2021-22 NBA when he finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) voting and was named to the All-Defensive Second Time. Since then, Williams has struggled to stay on the court, but when he has been out there, his defensive impact remains indisputable.
This season in Portland is no different. Williams’ calling card as a defender is his ability to safeguard the most important real estate on the floor. Even with all the injuries he’s endured, his shot-blocking prowess and rim protection instincts are among the best the association has to offer.
On the season, Williams is in the 99th percentile in block rate. On top of that, opponents are shooting 19.1% worse than expected on shots within six feet of the rim when Williams is there to contest it (per NBA.com). Of the 76 centers who have played at least 15 games, Williams is second in this category (behind only his successor in Boston, Kristaps Porzingis).
As a team, the Blazers are in the 92nd percentile in opponent rim accuracy when Williams is on the court (per Cleaning the Glass). Overall, Williams is in the 87th percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus (DEF EPM), despite the team being near the bottom in defensive rating (27th).
What About The Injury History?
As we’ve already mentioned, Williams has a long and, frankly, concerning injury history. The most Williams has ever played in a season was during his breakout 2021-22 campaign when he played 61 of 82 regular season games. Since then, he’s never played in more than 35 games in a season, and he’s missed 153 of 211 games overall (72.5%).
Why trade for a player like that, you ask? Two reasons. First, Williams’ various injuries have diminished his value a great deal, meaning you can get an elite paint protector for a fraction of what it normally would cost you. In the past, it would likely require at least one first round pick to get someone with Williams’ knack for fortifying the interior. Now, however, he can probably be had for a matching salary and a few second round picks.
Second, Williams’ salary (he’s eating up 8.84% of the cap right now, per Spotrac) makes it so that you don’t need to depend on him to be your starting center. You can use him as an overqualified backup, which will enable you to limit his minutes and minimize his chances of contracting another injury.
Who Should Try And Trade For Williams?
Any team that is in the market for a backup big who can protect the rim while also offering some roll gravity (94th percentile rim accuracy), should be blowing up the Blazers’ phones for Williams. Some potential teams include the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers (as long as they don’t try to move Anthony Davis to the four), New York Knicks, and Sacramento Kings (as long as they don’t enter a rebuild).
Regardless, if Williams isn’t moved during this deadline, some team is missing out on the chance of getting a game-changing role player.
If you’re looking to trade in your vehicle, there’s one center that stands out above the rest: The Center That Everyone Should Be Calling About This Trade Cycle. With top-notch customer service, competitive trade-in values, and a wide selection of inventory to choose from, this center is the perfect place to make your next trade.
Don’t waste your time dealing with other centers that may not offer you the best value for your trade. Instead, call The Center That Everyone Should Be Calling About This Trade Cycle and experience the difference for yourself. Our team of experts is here to help you every step of the way, making the trade process smooth and stress-free.
Don’t wait any longer to get the best value for your trade. Call The Center That Everyone Should Be Calling About This Trade Cycle today and see why we’re the top choice for savvy car buyers everywhere.
Tags:
- Trade cycle center
- Trade cycle services
- Importance of trade cycles
- Trade cycle solutions
- Expert trade cycle advice
- Top trade cycle center
- Best trade cycle specialists
- Trade cycle consulting
- Trade cycle management
- Trade cycle optimization.
#Center #Calling #Trade #Cycle
You must be logged in to post a comment.