The Boston Celtics are actively seeking to add depth at the center position this offseason, and one name that consistently surfaces is former Boston big man Robert Williams III. Williams spent five seasons in Boston before being included in the Jrue Holiday trade that sent him to Portland ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, a move that helped Boston secure its most recent championship. The former “Time Lord” now finds himself a free-agent target as the club evaluates its options behind starter Neemias Queta.
During his Celtics tenure Williams posted 7.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 20.5 minutes per game. At his peak in 2022 he was regarded as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate, underscoring his reputation as a rim-protecting specialist when healthy. Those per-minute numbers placed him among the league’s more impactful interior defenders, a quality the Celtics value in their defensive schemes.
In Portland last season Williams averaged 6.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 17.4 minutes across 59 games. Notably, he showed an emerging touch from beyond the arc, shooting 39 percent on a limited number of three-point attempts. While his offensive output remained modest, the ability to stretch the floor on occasion adds a new dimension to a player traditionally known for his shot-blocking and interior presence.
Boston currently lists Queta and Luka Garza as its primary centers, with Garza viewed as a third-string piece. The Celtics therefore need a reliable backup who can sustain defensive intensity when Queta rests. Williams fits that profile, offering proven rim protection and a modest shooting upgrade. The front office also has Kevon Looney on its radar, a three-time NBA champion who became an unrestricted free agent after New Orleans declined his team option, but Looney’s decade-long tenure with Golden State brings a different veteran profile.
From a strategic standpoint, Williams provides the Celtics with a player who can contest shots without fouling and, when healthy, anchor a switch-heavy defensive system. Pairing him with Queta would give Boston a two-center tandem capable of alternating between traditional post play and more mobile, switchable defense. His familiarity with the organization and the TD Garden crowd could also smooth a mid-season integration if the team decides to bring him back.
A potential homecoming for Robert Williams III would reinforce Boston’s emphasis on defensive identity, reminding fans that championships are often built on the blocks that go unnoticed. Whether the Celtics ultimately sign him or pursue another option, the pursuit highlights the club’s continued focus on strengthening its interior defense for the upcoming campaign.
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