4 Trade targets the Raptors can go after thanks to a new rule

No. 2: Robert Williams III, $12.43 million

Once upon a time, the Boston Celtics agreed to a contract extension with their starting center at a bargain price. Robert Williams III signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension, then proceeded to put up an All-Defense season in 2021-22 and play a crucial role on an NBA Finals Team.

From there, injuries which had chipped away at his availability now came in earnest, limiting him to just 35 games in 2022-23. The Celtics understandably included him in the Jrue Holiday trade as matching salary, and a knee injury knocked him out for the season last year after just six games for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Portland now has a glut of centers, with Deandre Ayton signed to a max deal, Duop Reath looking like a solid rotation option and Donovan Clingan joining the team as a Top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. At least one of those players has to be moved, and it's possible the Trail Blazers try to send out Williams with an asset attached.

Toronto would be well-served to consider such a deal, as Williams could be an excellent buy-low candidate. He could back up Jakob Poeltl in a small role, prove he can get through a season healthy, and thrive playing with the Raptors' young core. Then next summer the Raptors can either commit to Williams or flip him for value elsewhere. It would be a savvy move to consider, getting value coming in and going out. There would be a risk if Williams never got healthy, but given the Raptors' financial situation the downside of that risk would not be too punitive.