Knicks Favorite for Trail Blazers Center?

The New York Knicks succeded in the offseason. Whether on the trade market or re-signing free agents, Leon Rose capitalized on every deal. However, according to ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst, he believes the Knicks have another trade up their sleeves.

"I think the Knicks will be among one of the teams monitoring him" (Robert Williams III), Windhorst said on NBA Today.

Windhorst mentioned Williams as a player the Portland Trail Blazers could net a positive return as their other center DeAndre Ayton is "not very tradeable" due to his $36.9 million million owed for the next two seasons.

Moreover, Portland drafted frontcourt prospect Donovan Clingan with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Trading Williams makes sense as his contract is moveable and would net a decent return.

The Knicks' current backup center is Precious Achiuwa. Although Achiuwa hinted at improvements from the 3-point range from offseason workout video footage, Williams offers a win-now, crash-theboards center that matches the Tom Thibodeau playstyle for his bigs.

Williams has 58 playoff games on his resume with the Boston Celtics. Furthermore, as a likely playoff opponent of the Celtics, perhaps trading for a player with vital intel bodes well for the Knicks' postseason success.

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Williams only played six games for the 2023-24 season due to a season-ending knee injury. For his career, the Louisiana native averaged 7.3 points and 6.9 rebounds.

The Portland center received votes for Defensive Player of the Year and earned an All-Defensive Second Team for the 2021-22 season, the NBA Finals campaign, which saw the Celtics lose to the Golden State Warriors in six games.