CHARLOTTE HORNETS

The Hornets acquire a bridge rim-protector in Robert Williams III for Pat Connaughton, DaQuan Jeffries, and two second-round picks. After trading both Mark Williams and Nick Richards in 2025 to Phoenix, the Hornets lack a reliable and stable option at center, beyond unproven youth and journeyman center Mason Plumlee. The Hornets address this roster need by acquiring Robert Williams III. Furthermore, since Robert Williams III is on an expiring contract and the Hornets also trade an expiring contract in Pat Connaughton and a redundant wing in DaQuan Jeffries, they do not lose much in terms of player value while gaining a clear upgrade at the center position. Barring injuries, Robert Williams III should be the starting center in Charlotte throughout the entire 2025-26 NBA season. When healthy, Robert Williams III is the rim-runner that LaMelo Ball needs and the rebounder and rim-protector that shooters and scorers such as Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and Miles Bridges need, as the final missing element in Charlotte's starting lineup. Even if Robert Williams III suffers an injury-riddled season, the facts that he a) plays a position of need and b) is on an expiring contract thereby allowing Charlotte to walk away without sacrificing too many assets, make this deal worthwhile. Charlotte's projected starting lineup for the 2025-26 NBA season is as follows:

LaMelo Ball - Kon Knueppel - Brandon Miller - Miles Bridges - Robert Williams III

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Portland resolves their center logjam by moving on from Robert Williams III for two wings on expiring or near-expiring contracts and two second-round picks, one of which is their own second-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft. Portland now proceeds with a long-term center rotation of Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen. A cleaner depth chart, the logjam addressed, and the incoming value through the draft capital and salary relief make this trade worthwhile for Portland. They establish a better foundation for their many young players to develop. Until Damian Lillard returns for the 2026-27 NBA season when the Trail Blazers will likely pivot fully to competitive basketball, they need to decide whether they want to try to compete now or rebuild for a year. Portland's projected starting lineup for the 2025-26 NBA season is as follows:

Jrue Holiday - Shaedon Sharpe - Jerami Grant - Deni Avdija - Donovan Clingan

Overall, this trade supports both franchises' respective directions. In short, Charlotte gains immediate help at center by adding a potential starter on an expiring deal without mortgaging their future, whereas Portland focuses on the future, roster flexibility, and salary relief as they prioritize growth from their youth before pivoting to win-now mode in the 2026-27 NBA season. Robert Williams III also gains a larger role in Charlotte than in Portland. Ultimately, both teams make progress in their respective rebuilds.

Thoughts?