Robert Williams III Trade Would Bolster Knicks’ Title Hopes Amid NBA Rumors

Despite the overwhelming positivity surrounding the team, there is one major uncertainty at a key position for the Eastern Conference powerhouse: center.

The team lost Isaiah Hartenstein left for Oklahoma City and an $87 million deal, leaving the team with Mitchell Robinson at the five and Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims as his backups.

Though Robinson has played well, his lengthy history of injuries is worrisome and neither Achiuwa nor Sims are players any contending team wants to trot out in an extended starting role.

Achiuwa struggles to protect the rim while Sims and rookie Ariel Hukporti do not have the experience to calm any nerves about the weakness in the Knicks’ otherwise stacked lineup.

For that reason, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on NBA Today (2:00 mark) that the team is expected to be buyers throughout the upcoming season and into the trade deadline, with Robert Williams III of the Portland Trailblazers being someone to watch.

The seventh-year man has a career average of 6.9 steals per game, shoots 72.9 percent from the paint, and adds nearly two blocks a game. In his best season, 2021-22 with the Celtics, Williams averaged 29.6 minutes and eight rebounds.

He is an explosive jumper, with an enormous 7-foot-5-inch wingspan and he would provide the Knicks with the depth necessary behind Robinson so that should the starter experience any ill effects from the ankle injury that prematurely ended his season, the team is not left to the unproven or ineffective options it currently has behind him.

The team has made the moves necessary to compete in the East against the likes of Boston, Philadelphia, and Miami. Not going the whole way and making sure the roster is as strong as it can be would be a massive disappointment to the players and the team’s loyal, passionate fan base.

Williams fills that void, serves as an insurance policy in the event of any roadblocks with Robinson, gives the Knicks that physicality at the center position, and a chance to win the battle at the rim.

The team will not get to where they want to go without it.