<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/portland-trail-blazers/blazers-rumors-portland-changes-tune-on-robert-williams-iii-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'Blazers rumors: Portland changes tune on Robert Williams III trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Blazers-center-Robert-Williams-III-35-looks-on.jpg"><figcaption>© Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Blazers rumors: Portland changes tune on Robert Williams III trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-11-26T20:28:41-08:00">November 26th, 8:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-11-26T20:28:41-08:00">November 26th, 8:28pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/portland-trail-blazers-perfect-move-in-2025-nba-offseason">Portland Trail Blazers set out to contend</a> for the 2025-26 season, as evidenced <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/exclusive-jrue-holiday-reveals-damian-lillard-helping-blazers-season-long-injury-absence">by their trade for Jrue Holiday</a>, a win-now move for a veteran guard. They currently have an 8-10 record at the time of writing, which has them in ninth place in the Western Conference. That is good enough for a play-in tournament spot in the meantime, and the Blazers will be looking forward to improved play once they get back key pieces from injury.</p><p>But the Blazers have some depth issues to deal with if they were to contend in the loaded West. They at least have some pieces to try and trade away if they were to pursue some depth upgrades. One of those pieces who could end up being on the trade block is Robert Williams III, the oft-injured big man who’s in the final year of his contract.</p><p>With Williams being an expiring deal, the Blazers reportedly have <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/talking-zone-defense-nba-big-men?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=179996162&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">shown more willingness</a> to trade him away, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. This is in contrast to the Blazers’ stance last year where they were holding out for a huge return in any potential Williams trade.</p><p>It is quite odd that a team with depth issues would want to trade away a rotation piece like Williams. The Blazers do have other centers, such as Duop Reath and 2025 first-round pick Yang Hansen, on the roster to back up Donovan Clingan, but WIlliams is cementing himself as a key cog for interim head coach Tiago Splitter’s squad.</p><p>There should remain plenty of interest in Williams as a rim-running, rim-protecting big who won’t require a long-term commitment on any team’s books.</p><h2><b>Robert Williams III’s Blazers tenure may be coming to an end</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Blazers-Robert-Williams-III-1.jpg"><figcaption>Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Blazers acquired Williams as part of the trade that sent Holiday to the Boston Celtics back in 2023. Since then, Williams has only suited up in 38 games in a Blazers uniform, which is a bit of a concern for any team looking to trade for him in the past.</p><p>But now, Williams is in the final year of his contract making $13.3 million. Alas, while teams will inevitably be registering interest in him, it’s hard to pinpoint which contender could use his services at the moment.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Blazers rumors: Portland changes tune on Robert Williams III trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-trade-proposal-for-robert-williams-after-deandre-ayton-buyout');   ga('set', 'title', 'Lakers’ trade proposal for Robert Williams after Deandre Ayton buyout');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/757007493-lakers-trade-proposal-for-robert-williams-after-deandre-ayton-buyout.jpg"></figure><h1>Lakers’ trade proposal for Robert Williams after Deandre Ayton buyout</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-01T08:43:20-07:00">July 1st, 8:43am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-01T08:43:20-07:00">July 1st, 8:43am</time><address><a>Bailey Bassett</a>Bailey Bassett is a sports writer from Denver, Colorado, covering major sports events and athlete backgrounds at ClutchPoints. He has experience covering and writing on high school, collegiate, and professional sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>LeBron James’ agent, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-fans-thinking-lebron-james-trade-rich-paul-comments">Rich Paul, made comments</a> after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-lebron-james-makes-52-6-million-contract-decision">James picked up his player option</a> that alluded to the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/updating-ranking-the-50-greatest-players-nba">all-time great</a> not being happy with the current state of the Los Angeles Lakers roster. Some took this to mean that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/ranking-best-lebron-james-trade-destinations-rich-paul-bombshell-lakers-quotes">James wants to be traded</a>, but more likely, he is just putting pressure on the Lakers’ front office to make some moves. The most glaring thing the Lakers need to do is address the center position, so they should consider a trade for Robert Williams of the Portland Trail Blazers.</p><h2><b>Lakers’ potential trade package for Robert Williams</b></h2><p><b>Lakers receive:</b> Robert Williams</p><p><b>Trail Blazers receive:</b> Gabe Vincent, second-round pick</p><p>The Lakers deployed Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura at the center position in the postseason last year. That unsurprisingly led to their elimination in the first round. The lack of big-man depth was a byproduct of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-trade-grade-luka-doncic-deal">trading for Luka Doncic.</a></p><p>The deal for the Slovenian guard that shocked the NBA world was well worth it as it was one of the biggest trade fleeces ever and sets the Lakers up for success for the next decade. However, the departure of Anthony Davis left the team without interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection.</p><p>Doncic and James will need someone who can fill those roles next season if the Lakers are to compete for the championship. So far through free agency and the NBA Draft, the position hasn’t been addressed.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1939343388660146673" rel="noopener">Paul said</a>, “He [James] knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”</p><p>James clearly isn’t thrilled about the state of the Lakers ahead of what will likely be his <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-lebron-james-overheard-revealing-wife-wants-retire">last season or two in the NBA</a>. Luckily, there are a few options to pursue for interior help. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/blazers-news-deandre-ayton-becomes-free-agent-center-portland-contract-buyout">Deandre Ayton was recently bought out by the Trail Blazers</a>, and the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-la-fans-already-recruiting-deandre-ayton-after-buyout">Lakers have reported interest</a> in the former first overall pick.</p><p>Los Angeles could also pursue Ayton’s old teammate, Robert Williams. The Trail Blazers still have a logjam in their center rotation, even after moving on from Ayton.</p><p>Donovan Clingan is the starter, but they also drafted Yang Hansen in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. Additionally, Duop Reach can fill minutes and knock down 3-point shots from the pivot spot when need be. The Blazers might need to move Williams as well in order to better balance out the roster.</p><p>The Texas A&amp;M product has often struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he’d be a worthwhile gamble for the Lakers because adding him would be a step in the right direction that Los Angeles could make without giving up much. Williams’ injury history and the Trail Blazers’ willingness to get rid of Ayton for nothing means that Portland might ship off Williams for cheap.</p><p>The Lakers only have to sacrifice Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick in this deal. When healthy, Williams is one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA. He’d likely also thrive catching lobs from James and Doncic, who are two of the best playmakers in the league.</p><h2><b>Would the Trail Blazers trade Robert Williams?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Blazers-Robert-Williams-III.jpg"><figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Trail Blazers have been active this offseason. In addition to shuffling around their center rotation, they made one of the biggest trades of the offseason when they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/jrue-holiday-trade-grades-for-celtics-blazers-after-stunning-deal">sent out Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday</a>. The ex-Boston Celtic is a two-time champion and one of the best defensive guards in NBA history.</p><p>That winning experience and play style could be valuable for Portland, but nonetheless, the trade received lots of criticism. Simons is the much younger player, and Holiday showed signs of regression last season. Simons, meanwhile, is just nearing his prime, and he has already scored 19-plus points per game in each of the last three seasons.</p><p>The Trail Blazers want to compete in the stacked Western Conference, so they likely will make more moves. The perplexing Holiday trade confirms that they are unpredictable, though. Trading Williams does make some sense, but it makes less sense after letting Ayton go, and there would be little reason to accept this underwhelming package from the Lakers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Lakers’ trade proposal for Robert Williams after Deandre Ayton buyout

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-trade-proposal-for-robert-williams-brings-much-needed-depth');   ga('set', 'title', 'Celtics’ trade proposal for Robert Williams brings much-needed depth');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Robert-Williams-Celtics.jpg"><figcaption>Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Celtics’ trade proposal for Robert Williams brings much-needed depth</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-06-26T15:57:41-07:00">June 26th, 3:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-06-26T15:57:41-07:00">June 26th, 3:57pm</time><address><a>Bailey Bassett</a>Bailey Bassett is a sports writer from Denver, Colorado, covering major sports events and athlete backgrounds at ClutchPoints. He has experience covering and writing on high school, collegiate, and professional sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Boston Celtics</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Boston Celtics have a pressing need at the center position, and because of that, the Celtics should <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/ranking-best-robert-williams-iii-trade-destinations-as-blazers-struggle">trade with the Portland Trail Blazers for Robert Williams</a>.</p><p>The Celtics have made some big trades this offseason in an effort to get their finances in check. They <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/jrue-holiday-trade-grades-for-celtics-blazers-after-stunning-deal">traded Jrue Holiday for Anferee Simons</a> before making a separate deal involving <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/kristaps-porzingis-trade-grade-hawks-celtics-deal">Kristaps Porzingis that netted Georges Niang</a>.</p><p>With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-news-jayson-tatums-teammate-gives-good-spirits-update-amid-achilles-recovery">Jayson Tatum out for the upcoming season because of his torn Achilles</a>, it made sense to make the moves necessary to get under the second apron. Even so, Boston isn’t entering a full rebuilding mode. They still expect to contend upon Tatum’s return, and in a weak Eastern Conference, they will even still look to win games next season.</p><p>The Trail Blazers seem destined to trade a center, and Williams has a history in Boston. So what would a Williams-to-Boston deal look like?</p><h2><b>Celtics’ possible trade package for Robert Williams</b></h2><p><b>Celtics receive:</b> Robert Williams</p><p><b>Trail Blazers receive:</b> Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, JD Davison, second-round pick</p><p>The Trail Blazers drafted yet another center in the 2025 NBA Draft. A year after choosing Donovan Clingan in the lottery, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/blazers-news-joe-cronin-reacts-chinese-nikola-jokic-comp-yang-hansen">Portland selected Yang Hansen 16th overall</a>. The rookie from China will add to a depth chart that also features Deandre Ayton, Duop Reath, and Williams.</p><p>One, two, or potentially even three of those players need to go, as there simply aren’t enough minutes to go around, and none of them can share the floor together.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/nba-rumors-deandre-ayton-becoming-odd-man-out-for-blazers">Ayton and Williams are the likely trade candidates</a>, but the former first overall pick may cost a pretty penny. Williams, meanwhile, could likely be had for cheap especially because he is quite far down the center pecking order in Portland.</p><p>The decision to draft Hansen was one of many peculiar moves this offseason for the Trail Blazers. Additionally, they had previously worked with the Celtics in the Holiday trade. Anfernee Simons was sent to Boston in that deal, and although the Trail Blazers were widely criticized for that move, they are clearly comfortable negotiating with the Celtics.</p><p>This trade would be a much better deal for Portland than the Holiday trade was. Sam Hauser is one of the best catch-and-shoot 3-point specialists in the NBA, which is a niche the Trail Blazers need. Hauser’s 8.5 points per game last season were far superior to Williams’ scoring output, and he has been a more reliable option when it comes to health throughout his career, too.</p><h2><b>Should the Celtics trade for Robert Williams?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Robert-Williams-Celtics-Jimmy-Butler.jpg"><figcaption>Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>With Porzingis already shipped away and Al Horford nearing retirement, the Celtics need help at center. Williams has never been able to stay healthy consistently, which is part of the reason he was shipped from Boston to Portland in the first place, but he was a great fit for the Celtics when he was able to stay on the floor during his days with the team.</p><p>Williams’ nickname is ‘Timelord’ because he is one of the best at blocking shots in the NBA. He is also a serviceable lob threat and put-back artist. Williams could play behind or alongside Horford if the veteran has another season in him. He’d be even more valuable if <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-news-al-horford-retirement-rumors-shut-down-wyc-grousbeck">Horford decides to retire</a> or not re-sign.</p><p>Losing Hauser wouldn’t be easy for the Celtics, but it would continue their offseason trend of getting their finances in check. Williams only has one year left on his contract, whereas Hauser is <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/player/_/id/74311/sam-hauser" rel="noopener">on the books</a> for four more seasons.</p><p>As of now, the Celtics will bank on Neemias Queta to play heavy minutes at the center unless they re-sign Luke Kornet and/or Horford. Regardless, the Celtics need more help at the five spot. Boston’s roster is going to look a whole lot different next season, and they probably shouldn’t stop making changes now.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Celtics’ trade proposal for Robert Williams brings much-needed depth

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/portland-trail-blazers/blazers-news-robert-williams-iii-important-injury-timeline');   ga('set', 'title', 'Blazers’ Robert Williams III receives important injury timeline');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Robert-Williams-III-receives-important-injury-timeline.jpg"></figure><h1>Blazers’ Robert Williams III receives important injury timeline</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-20T16:53:40-07:00">March 20th, 4:53pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-20T16:54:35-07:00">March 20th, 4:54pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When the Boston Celtics traded Robert Williams III in the deal that got them Jrue Holiday in October of 2023, the center/power forward was supposed to instantly become a key member of the new-look Portland Trail Blazers. Instead, he has played 26 total games for the franchise. Injuries continue to define his career, with Williams’ latest setback effectively ending his 2024-25 season.</p><p>The 27-year-old big man is <a href="https://x.com/trailblazers/status/1902850199787376686" rel="noopener">expected to miss four to six weeks</a> after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his inflamed left knee, per the Blazers’ X account. Fortunately, he should make a full recovery. Fans are low on optimism when it comes to Williams’ chronic injury issues, however.</p><h2><b>Blazers’ Robert Williams III is becoming a sad “what-if” case</b></h2><p>The No. 27 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft is loaded with promise, as evidenced by his 2022 NBA All-Defensive Second-Team selection, but he just cannot stay on the court. Williams averages only 20.2 minutes per game for his career, showing how difficult it is for coaches to rely on his body for an extended period of time. General manager Joe Cronin might <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/portland-trail-blazers-biggest-mistake-2025-nba-trade-deadline">regret not moving him</a> when he had the chance.</p><p>Portland reportedly sought a first-rounder for Williams’ services ahead of the trade deadline but ultimately ended up retaining him. He is set to earn more than $13 million in the final year of his contract next season, putting the organization in a bit of a bind. Trading the 6-foot-9 talent will be increasingly harder to do following his latest stint on the sidelines.</p><p>Robert Williams III last played on Feb. 20, posting eight points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 25 minutes of action in a 110-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. While it is obviously important for him to quell his lingering inflammation, once and for all, his ongoing absence does complicate the Blazers’ pursuit of the final Western Conference slot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.</p><p>Portland (31-39) trails the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks by two games for 10th place after winning three straight. With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers/blazers-news-deandre-ayton-out-indefinitely-calf-injury">Deandre Ayton nursing a calf strain</a>, Chauncey Billups’ frontcourt could run out of gas before the team completes a triumphant trek in the West. Friday night’s home meeting with the Denver Nuggets should test that theory.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Blazers’ Robert Williams III receives important injury timeline

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/sources-rockets-robert-williams-iii-trade-buzz-surges-ime-udoka-exchange');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sources: Rockets’ Robert Williams III trade buzz surges after Ime Udoka exchange');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Rockets-Robert-Williams-III-trade-buzz-surges-after-Ime-Udoka-exchange.jpg"></figure><h1>Sources: Rockets’ Robert Williams III trade buzz surges after Ime Udoka exchange</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-01-21T09:17:44-08:00">January 21st, 9:17am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-01-21T11:35:31-08:00">January 21st, 11:35am</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Robert Williams III has been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/siegels-scoop-why-jimmy-butler-future-doesnt-control-trade-deadline">one of the key names being mentioned in rumors</a> ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline. Although the Portland Trail Blazers are not actively seeking to move him for anything before the deadline, Williams has generated plenty of buzz dating back to the offseason due to his athleticism and rim-protecting abilities. With just over two weeks until the trade deadline, Williams continues to be linked to playoff-contending teams, specifically the Houston Rockets.</p><p>Head coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets’ front office deserve a ton of credit for building what looks to be one of the more promising young teams in the league. Houston is currently 28-14 this season, second place in the Western Conference behind only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder.</p><p>Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green have led the way for what has turned out to be one of the better defensive teams in the league. It is no secret to anyone around the league that the Rockets have been seeking improvements in their frontcourt next to Sengun, and Williams has been linked to this organization since the summer.</p><p>Once again, Williams has emerged as a prime trade candidate for Houston ahead of the deadline, especially after a <a href="https://x.com/jg_clutch_city/status/1880847932662137040" rel="noopener">recent interaction with Udoka</a> that raised eyebrows around the league.</p><p>In the aftermath of Houston’s recent 125-103 victory over the Blazers, Williams was seen talking with Udoka and a couple of other Rockets staff members, some of whom covered their mouths while speaking with Portland’s big man. Williams has always been fond of Udoka’s coaching methods, and he would welcome a reunion with his former Boston Celtics coach, league sources told ClutchPoints. This feeling is mutual, as Udoka has always spoken very highly of Williams.</p><p>This “buddy-buddy” moment between Udoka and Williams, as one league source put it, was not a complete surprise to see. Williams was genuinely happy to talk with his former coach, who helped him unlock his potential. In Udoka’s lone season with the Celtics, Williams averaged 10.9 points. 9.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game en route to earning All-Defensive Second-Team honors and finishing seventh in the Defensive Player of the Year vote.</p><p>Ahead of the NBA trade deadline approaching on Feb. 6, the Rockets have held discussions about Williams with the Blazers, sources said. However, these two teams have talked multiple times throughout the season. At no point have these discussions surrounding Williams ever progressed to the point where a trade was on the verge of happening. Still, Houston holds strong interest in adding the former All-Defensive center this season.</p><p>Whether or not the Rockets can beef up their frontcourt next to Sengun with a player like Williams comes down to their willingness to part ways with some value in addition to how the Blazers feel about sacrificing a player they are high on.</p><h2><b>Rockets among several trade suitors</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Robert-Williams-III-shooting.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Unfortunately for Williams, health has been the greatest factor contributing to his decline in recent years.</p><p>Since playing for Udoka in Boston during the 2021-22 season, a year when Williams and the Celtics went to the NBA Finals, the athletic big man has only played in 55 total games due to various knee ailments. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/robert-williams-knee-problems-surface-again-with-surgery-right-before-training-camp">tearing the meniscus in his left knee during</a> the 2021-22 season, Williams missed the start of the 2022-23 season after opting to undergo a second procedure in the offseason.</p><p>Upon being traded to the Blazers in a deal that sent Jrue Holiday to Boston, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-news-robert-williams-iii-season-ending-knee-surgery">Williams required surgery to reconstruct a torn ligament in his right knee</a> after he sustained a patellar dislocation. This injury resulted in Williams playing only six games last season before returning in November. The Blazers center has played in only 14 games this year.</p><p>Any team looking to pursue Williams before the trade deadline will do so knowing the risk such an addition carries. While there is potential for a high reward by adding the 27-year-old, this is also a very risky move for any organization to take given his extensive knee injury history.</p><p>This is why Williams’ value in trade rumors has been all over the place as of late.</p><p>What Portland is looking for in a potential Williams trade is a mystery. Regarding Houston, Tari Eason would be an appealing young talent for the Blazers to want, yet the Rockets have made it abundantly clear that they don’t hold interest in trading any of their recent first-round picks. Instead, Houston is looking to center a trade package around Jock Landale, Jae’Sean Tate, and numerous second-round picks for a talent like Williams, sources said.</p><p>Since the Blazers continue to build during their rebuild, centering a Williams package on second-round picks wouldn’t necessarily be their go-to option. After all, Williams is a player Portland specifically wanted in trade talks for Holiday with Boston.</p><p>The Rockets, sources said, could be forced to part ways with a talented young player like Cam Whitmore in a deal for Williams. The Blazers are not just looking to dump Williams for anything they can get before the deadline since he is generating interest from multiple suitors. So, there has to be some real value coming back to Portland.</p><p>In addition to the Rockets holding discussions with the Blazers centered on Williams, the big man has also generated interest from the LA Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference from the summer to this point in the 2024-25 season, sources said. Both the Clippers and Lakers have been known to hold interest in adding frontcourt help before the deadline.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/are-bucks-serious-jimmy-butler-trade-deadline-suitor-siegels-scoop">Warriors have Williams on a list of several centers they hold interest in</a>, a list that also includes veterans like Nikola Vucevic, Jonas Valanciunas, Kelly Olynyk, and others.</p><p>In recent weeks, two other notable Eastern Conference teams have inquired about Williams’ availability leading up to the deadline, one of which is firmly in the playoff conversation.</p><p>Of course, a decision to trade Williams is one that the Blazers will need to internally discuss over the next 16 days. Williams still has another year left on his contract, and if Portland isn’t getting what they want in trade discussions, they do not need to move him this season. What the Blazers decide to do is the key question nobody has answers to.</p><h2><b>Blazers’ feelings about trading Robert Williams III</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Blazers-Robert-Williams-III-1.jpg"><figcaption>Soobum Im-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Last season was not kind to the Blazers without Damian Lillard. Portland finished the year with only 21 wins, their second-fewest in franchise history. This year has not gone much better for Chauncey Billups and his Portland squad, as they’re currently 14-28 overall.</p><p>Amid their rebuild, the Blazers have seen Scoot Henderson take a step in the right direction next to Anfernee Simons in their backcourt. It has also become clearer that rookie big man Donovan Clingan is the future of this franchise’s frontcourt given Deandre Ayton’s struggles and uncertainty in Portland.</p><p>At some point, the Blazers will be forced to decide between Williams, Ayton, and Duop Reath — three players who won’t remain in this team’s frontcourt long-term. Ahead of the trade deadline, sources said, Reath is another low-cost big man who has generated interest from multiple playoff-contending teams. Ayton holds virtually no market at this juncture.</p><p>Finding a balance at the center position will be key for this organization, which is why <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/are-bucks-serious-jimmy-butler-trade-deadline-suitor-siegels-scoop">Ayton is starting to look like the odd man out</a> in Portland and the player they would rather trade in their frontcourt, sources said. So, what does this mean for Williams’ status with the Blazers?</p><p>Portland still isn’t sold one way or the other on trading Williams and is simply feeling out the market for what a possible return for him could look like over the next two weeks. A decision to possibly trade Williams will come down to whether the Blazers believe they are getting a good enough return for a player they specifically wanted from the Celtics.</p><p>As far as the Rockets’ pursuit of Williams goes, two expiring salaries of Landale and Tate likely wouldn’t move the needle, even if multiple second-round picks were attached to said deal. If Houston were to offer Landale, Whitmore, and two or three second-round picks, that should get Portland’s stamp of approval.</p><p>The Rockets like Williams and believe his skill set is exactly what they lack in the frontcourt at the moment. Whether or not Houston looks to capitalize on its championship potential this season by bolstering the frontcourt with a name Udoka is familiar with remains to be seen.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
4.5	4.4	0.8	0.8	0.6

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
4.5	4.4	0.8	0.8	0.6

Robert Williams

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Sources: Rockets’ Robert Williams III trade buzz surges after Ime Udoka exchange

Robert
Williams