The Boston Celtics have opened the season at 11–9 and sit eighth in the Eastern Conference. They have been steady through injuries and roster turnover as they continue navigating their gap year without Jayson Tatum. Their frontcourt committee has held up well, but the long-term picture remains something the organization will need to examine as the year moves on.
One recent detail around the league could factor into that evaluation.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line recently reported that the Portland Trail Blazers are expected to be more open to moving Robert Williams III this season than they were a year ago. With his contract expiring this summer, it raises the question for Boston:
Could the Celtics be interested in bringing Williams back?
Williams Is Finally Back on the Floor
For the first time since leaving Boston, Williams has put together a consistent run of games. He has appeared in 12 of Portland’s last 14 contests and earned steady rotation minutes. His production is not at the level of his All-Defensive peak, but the defensive instincts, timing and mobility remain noticeable. The most important development is that he is available.
Injuries limited him to only 26 total games across two seasons with the Blazers. When he is healthy, Williams still offers rim protection, short-roll playmaking and defensive versatility. Those are qualities the Celtics have not fully replaced since he left. And with his contract expiring this summer, his situation becomes more relevant to teams exploring future depth.
The Celtics’ Trade Path Remains Unlikely
Williams is earning just under 13.3 million dollars on an expiring deal. Portland is prioritizing its younger bigs. That combination makes him more available than he was a year ago.
The Celtics have handled their frontcourt better than expected after losing Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet. Neemias Queta has taken a real step, while Luka Garza, Xavier Tillman and Chris Boucher have all helped in stretches.
But none of them bring exactly what Williams did at his peak. When he was healthy, he was a real DPOY candidate. He changed possessions. He changed spacing. He changed series. Whether he can ever reach that level again is the real question.
The trade math does not help. Matching his salary would require moving a rotation piece, and the only clean paths through Sam Hauser or something involving Anfernee Simons do not make sense for either team. A midseason deal is unlikely.
A Williams Buyout or Summer Reunion Makes More Sense
A buyout is different. If Portland doesn’t find the offer it wants, the door opens. His number falls under the non-taxpayer MLE, and Boston is no longer in second-apron territory, so they would have a shot.
Even without a buyout, free agency presents another realistic path. Boston will reassess its frontcourt this summer with the expectation of returning to full strength. Williams knows the system, has established chemistry with the core and has proven he can tilt games defensively when he is right physically.
He doesn’t need to be the All-Defensive version of himself. He just needs to be healthy enough to give consistent rim protection. The Celtics did not have that last postseason.
The Verdict for the Celtics
For now, the reunion remains a possibility. A trade still feels unlikely, but the situation is worth monitoring as the season unfolds. A buyout or an offseason signing is the more realistic path, especially if Portland shifts further toward developing its younger frontcourt.
If Williams’ time in Portland winds down, the Celtics are one of the teams that make sense. The fit is familiar, the need is clear and the timing could line up as Boston prepares for next year’s window.
Sometimes the league brings players back to the places where they played their best basketball. If that chance comes around again, Boston would be ready to listen.
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