It’s been well established that a center to back up Alperen Sengun is a position of need for the Houston Rockets.
Yet, how desperate is general manager Rafael Stone in that search? After all, Houston is still in the second phase of its rebuild and not yet operating with the sense of urgency of a title contender.
So, with that flexible timeline in mind, would Houston consider an option that wouldn’t be able to play until the 2024-25 season?
Chris Haynes, veteran insider for the NBA on TNT and Yahoo! Sports, believes there could eventually be a link between the Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III, who is out for the 2023-24 season with a knee injury. From a recent podcast:
“Ime Udoka has always been, and still remains, very fond of Robert Williams,” Haynes said in the Jan. 22 episode of #thisleague UNCUT. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if Houston is in the mix.”
Williams had his best NBA season playing for Udoka in the 2021-22 season, when he averaged 10 points (73.6% FG), 9.6 rebounds and 29.6 minutes per game with the Celtics.
Now 26 years old, Williams is under contract through the 2025-26 season at an average rate of just below $13 million annually. Because the Blazers are at a slightly earlier spot in their rebuild than the Rockets, it’s possible Portland could have interest in a package from Houston involving a more longer-term asset.
Williams also has a connection to the broader Houston region, having played his college basketball at nearby Texas A&M.
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Chris Haynes on his podcast with Marc Stein today said that many teams have made inquiries around Robert Williams and though he is not yet ready to report any names he said he would "not be surprised if Houston could be in the mix" cited Udoka's relationship with him as a factor
— Jett (@Jett_NBA) January 22, 2024