The Portland Path Blazers are deep right into a rebuild because the 2024-25 NBA season nears. After buying and selling away Damian Lillard, it was an inevitability to occur. Nevertheless, the primary yr went surprisingly nicely. Past the dud that was Scoot Henderson’s rookie yr, Portland noticed rather a lot to be completely happy about.
Each Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe had profession years, and the commerce worth for his or her veterans are at a excessive. They already discovered a brand new residence for Malcolm Brogdon, however a number of names nonetheless stay on their roster.
Whereas Jerami Grant as a 3-and-D wing is on the verge of a commerce any day, the identical isn’t true for Robert Williams III. His harm historical past makes him a everlasting threat for any crew he joins. In consequence, most wouldn’t be keen to chew the bullet. Nevertheless, there are a number of locations that might probably line up for him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Williams III, Portland Path Blazers Updates
At $13 million, no less than his contract makes it much less of a threat than any main star. Additional, ‘Time Lord’ was a defensive monster in his final lively stint, with rising playmaking instincts by the day. For any crew determined sufficient to sort out the harm threat, the addition is a no brainer. However, which groups would possibly chew the bullet?
The case for the New Orleans Pelicans is comparatively easy. The crew misplaced virtually all of its big-man rotation within the offseason. Starter Jonas Valanciunas is now a Washington Wizard, whereas Larry Nance Jr. was a part of the Dejounte Murray commerce. In consequence, other than rookie Yves Missi, they don’t have a reliable title to man the center.
That’s the place Rob steps in. A defensive ace, he would additional shore up the inside for the Pelicans. Additional, he brings sufficient of an inside offensive recreation so as to add to Zion Williamson and others.
The case for the Memphis Grizzlies, nevertheless, is a bit more complicated. Whereas they’ve a bonafide DPOY in Jaren Jackson Jr to play Middle and a rookie in Zach Edey, their finest play comes with JJJ on the 4. Whereas Edey might theoretically fill that spot on the 5, his rookie standing makes it a query. For a crew with excessive playoff aspirations like Memphis, trusting a rookie goes to be a arduous promote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Robert Williams III, Portland Path Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
On one hand, including Robert Williams III might be the straightforward resolution. If he has a comparatively wholesome yr, he matches in seamlessly with Memphis. A tenacious defender, he and Jackson would immediately make the Grizzlies probably the greatest defensive entrance courts within the league. Furthermore, because of the outdoors taking pictures of Jackson, there wouldn’t be a logjam contained in the paint with each of them on the courtroom.
For the Trailblazers, making a transfer is relatively apparent. They’ve DeAndre Ayton because the long-term reply on the Middle place. And Williams, as a consequence of accidents and age, received’t align with their present timeline. As an alternative, buying and selling him for some future belongings may be the perfect plan of action for Portland. Anticipate Robert Williams III to be among the many earliest gamers traded.
