The Chicago Bulls just hired Tiago Splitter to be their next head coach, and now, they could theoretically have a chance to steal some former Portland Trail Blazers players in free agency. One of the guys who is very intriguing is big man Robert Williams III, who played under Splitter in Portland last year.
Williams has dealt with injury issues throughout the course of his career, but when he’s on the court, he’s one of the most intriguing defensive players in the league. And as the Bulls attempt to revive their team and improve their future, taking a chance on a guy like Williams and helping him revive his value a bit.
Signing Williams would give Splitter a familiar face and the Bulls an interesting center to work with.
Bulls should target Robert Williams III in free agency
The peak of Williams’ career came during his time with the Boston Celtics earlier in his career. In the 2021-22 campaign, he helped the Celtics make a run to the NBA Finals.
That year, Williams finished 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting and earned a place on the All-Defensive Second Team. Since then, Williams’ injuries have caught up to him.
The Celtics traded him to the Blazers in the 2023 deal that landed them Jrue Holiday, and through his first two years in Portland, he only appeared in 26 total games.
However, this past year, Williams actually got back on the floor more. He was a big part of what the Blazers were able to accomplish, making their way into the playoffs as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
Williams appeared in 59 games, starting one, and playing 17.1 minutes per contest. He averaged 6.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 70.8% from deep. He shot 39.1% from deep but only attempted 23 three-pointers all season (9-of-23).
For the Bulls, they would be bringing in a guy with a ton of defensive upside who is familiar with their new head coach. A guy who plays a position that they desperately need to improve.
And if the Bulls take North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, they could roll out an elite defensive frontcourt of him and Williams.
If Williams is able to stay healthy, that could quickly turn into one of the most intriguing defensive frontcourts in the entire league.
Williams is definitely worth taking a chance on in free agency.
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