5 Buy-low centers the Raptors can trade for to back up Jakob Poeltl

No. 1: Robert Williams III

If the Toronto Raptors truly want to swing for the fences, looking for a player whose value is at a nadir who could turn into a bona fide starter, the answer is likely Robert Williams III, currently on the Portland Trail Blazers. He was included in the Jrue Holiday deal and landed in Portland last year, playing in just six games before injuries shut him down for the season.

Williams started opposite Kevon Looney for the Boston Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals, just two years ago, and when healthy he is still a highly impactful player, particularly on defense. The health is a real concern, as he misses significant time every season, but if a smaller role could help him stay healthy he could show the shot-blocking and ball-stealing acumen that made him one fo the best defensive bigs in the league.

Portland has Deandre Ayton on a max deal, drafted Donovan Clingan in the top 10 this year, and last year Duop Reath was perhaps their best center as an undrafted rookie. There is no room or need for Williams, and if the Raptors could bring him over he would have the highest upside of anyone on this list. If everything broke right, he could either replace Jakob Poeltl or be a more valuable trade piece in a year or two.

The Raptors don't have to address this weakness; they can't do everything, and their forward depth is a more glaring need. If they decide to solve the issue, however, there are a number of talented and inexpensive solutions available that could make it the right problem to solve.