If you love the NBA, you hate injuries. They can ruin a player’s season. They can ruin an entire team’s plans if they’re significant enough. At the same time, planning around an injury-prone player is often a mistake in its own right.
Take Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers. He can’t seem to stay on the floor. This summer, Williams III was traded to the Blazers from the Boston Celtics. It didn’t take long before Williams III was out for the year.
According to rumors, the Blazers are shopping him anyway. Williams III’s injury history will hurt his value, but a team with a long-term need for rim protection could be interested in acquiring him. How about the Houston Rockets?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, C Boban Marjanovic, 2024 Second-Round Pick (BKN via HOU), 2024 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU), 2025 Second-Round Pick (OKC via HOU)
Houston Rockets receive: F/C Robert Williams III
With that said, injuries can have unexpected benefits. Nobody should wish for a player to get hurt. That would be malicious. Still, when a player does get injured, it can open the door for somebody else.
Look at the Rockets. Recently, Fred VanVleet suffered his first injury of the year. He’s been integral to this team’s success in 2023-24. Surely, the Rockets would flounder without him, right?
Well, so far they gave the Boston Celtics a highly competitive game. What’s more, Amen Thompson finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists in his first career start. VanVleet’s injury was unfortunate, but it did give Thompson an opportunity. Should the Rockets give Williams III an opportunity?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
Some Rockets fans will protest this deal. Why are we trading three second-round picks for a player who can’t stay on the floor? Moreover, doesn’t he play our best player’s position? Can Williams III play alongside Alperen Sengun?
Perhaps. When head coach Ime Udoka had Williams III in Boston, he played him next to Al Horford regularly. If Sengun can get his three-point shot to even that level, he can play with Williams. After all, when healthy, Williams is the type of big man who can defend in space.
He can also protect the rim. That’s a quality that the Rockets are sorely lacking. If they’re willing to wait until 2024-25, Williams III would suddenly give them one of the best, most versatile big-man rotations in the NBA. Should the Blazers help them put that roster together?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Sengun may develop a three-ball one day. Williams III is unlikely ever to do the same. So is Deandre Ayton. In other words, the Blazers have two starting caliber bigs who can’t co-exist even when Williams III is healthy.
In all likelihood, they’ll move him eventually. Here, they’re flipping him for two expiring contracts and three second-round picks. It’s a shame: if Williams III could stay healthy, he’d fetch a much heftier return than this.
He can’t, so he won’t. Williams III’s injury history will keep his value down. If this deal is available, the Blazers should make it. Injuries are the worst, aren’t they?
