Robert Williams III trade would boost Knicks’ title chances amid NBA rumors | News, scores, highlights, stats & 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 to Oklahoma City for an $87 million contract, leaving Mitchell Robinson as the fifth pick and Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims as reserves.

While Robinson has played well, his long history of injuries is a concern. Furthermore, Achiuwa and Sims are not players any team in the league would want in a long-term starting position.

Achiuwa has struggled to protect the rim, while Sims and newcomer Ariel Hukporti lack the experience to calm nerves over the weaknesses in the Knicks’ otherwise strong lineup.

For that reason, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on NBA Today (2:00) that the team is expected to remain buyers throughout the upcoming season and up until the trade deadline, with Robert Williams III of the Portland Trailblazers being one to keep an eye on.

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

An explosive jumper with a 7-foot wingspan, he could provide the Knicks with some needed depth behind Robinson, ensuring the team doesn’t have to rely on the unproven or ineffective options it currently has behind him should the starter suffer from the ankle injury that ended his season early.

The team has made the necessary steps to compete in the East with teams like Boston, Philadelphia and Miami. Not going all the way and making sure the roster is as strong as possible would be a huge disappointment to the players and the team’s loyal, passionate fan base.

Williams fills that void and acts as a sort of insurance policy when Robinson gets in the way, giving the Knicks physicality at center and a chance to win the battle for the rim.

Without this system the team will not achieve what they want to achieve.