Intriguing proposed Robert Williams trade sends depth to Boston Celtics

An intriguing Robert Williams III trade scenario from NBA Analysis Network — one that would return depth to the Boston Celtics in the form of Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes, and Cam Reddish as well as a 2029 pick swap — is one the Cs front office would have no choice but to consider if offered. NBA Analysis Network’s James Piercey believes that while finding fill-in depth for the oft-injured Williams is a major plus to his proposal, the true gem is the 2029 pick swap; one that could be used to upgrade to another win-now asset in the future.

“This is about getting assets for Boston more than anything else,” Piercey prefaced before saying, “Adding swap rights with the Lakers to their own 2029 first makes it a significantly more valuable trade chip. In time, they could use it to make a win-now upgrade. Historically speaking, that’s what the Celtics do.”

Boston could eventually decide that Kristaps Porzingis’ best lineup fit is the center position. Al Horford is a priority over Williams still, too. Trading the “Time Lord” isn’t hard to imagine, especially if he continues to miss games as he has.

What targets the Boston Celtics can aim for in a Robert Williams III trade

Not that Williams is on the trade block, but if the Boston Celtics front office did look further into what a “Time Lord” trade could return, the primary focus would undoubtedly have to be on athletic two-way wings.

For the majority of the Jayson Tatum-Jaylen Brown era, there’ve been either young/unproven commodities like Aaron Nesmith and Romeo Langford, or one-way specialists like Sam Hauser and Javonte Green behind the superstar pair. With Porzingis now manning the middle, the team can field as athletic of a lineup as humanly possible.

And they should. That’s what the Denver Nuggets just were. Emulating the defending champions is never a bad strategy.

• Published on 08/28/2023 at 5:00 AM EDT
• Last updated on 08/28/2023 at 5:00 AM EDT