The Boston Celtics face a challenging 2025-26 season following Jayson Tatum’s devastating Achilles injury in Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the New York Knicks. The loss of their star forward and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown’s primary co-star has dimmed Boston’s championship hopes. To remain competitive and alleviate financial pressures, the Celtics may need to make a significant offseason trade, potentially parting ways with a key member of their 2024 championship roster.
Recent speculation points to Kristaps Porzingis, the team’s floor-spacing former All-Star center, as the likely trade candidate. One intriguing proposal, suggested by Boston Celtics on SI writer Ryan Stano, involves trading Porzingis to the Portland Trail Blazers to bring back a familiar face: Robert Williams III, a former Celtic and defensive standout who was instrumental in Boston’s 2022 NBA Finals run.
A Reunion with Robert Williams III
“Boston traded Williams III away in order to acquire Jrue Holiday from Portland,” Stano noted, highlighting the proposed trade’s potential to reunite Williams with the Celtics. At 28, Williams is younger and carries a lower salary than the 30-year-old Porzingis, offering financial relief. However, the move is not without risks, as both players have struggled with injuries in recent years.
Williams III’s standout season came in 2021-22 with Boston, where he averaged 10.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game. His dominant performance earned him a seventh-place finish in the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year voting and an All-Defensive Second Team nod. Known for his athleticism, strength, and elite shot-blocking, Williams was a force as a lob-finisher and rim-protector, making him a perfect complement to Brown in Tatum’s absence.
Despite his injury concerns, Williams showed flashes of brilliance in Portland during the 2024-25 season. In 20 appearances, the 6-foot-9 center averaged 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks while shooting an impressive 64.1% from the field. A healthy Williams could serve as a dynamic pick-and-roll partner for Brown, bolstering Boston’s defense and providing the energy needed to keep the team competitive.
The Porzingis Dilemma
Porzingis, acquired to add spacing and versatility to Boston’s frontcourt, has been a valuable contributor when healthy. However, his limited availability—due to recurring injuries—has frustrated the organization. Stano pointed out that “the Celtics were unhappy with how little Porzingis has played for them over the past couple of years,” making him a potential trade piece despite his skill set.
Trading Porzingis for Williams would be a gamble, swapping one injury-prone big man for another. Yet, Williams’ familiarity with Boston’s system, defensive prowess, and potential as a long-term fit alongside Brown could outweigh the risks. His return would mark a shift toward a more athletic, defense-first identity, aligning with the Celtics’ need to adapt without Tatum.
A High-Risk, High-Reward Move
Celtics general manager Brad Stevens faces a tough decision. While trading Porzingis for Williams may not be the most obvious choice, the upside of a healthy Williams III anchoring the defense and thriving as Brown’s sidekick could be too tempting to pass up. The move would also signal Boston’s commitment to maximizing Brown’s prime and keeping the team in contention during Tatum’s recovery.
As the offseason approaches, all eyes will be on Stevens to see if he pulls the trigger on this bold trade. A reunion with Robert Williams III could reinvigorate the Celtics, but it comes at the cost of parting with a proven talent in Porzingis. For a franchise aiming to defy the odds in 2025-26, this high-risk, high-reward deal might just be the spark they need.