Former Boston Celtics fan-favorite 'solidified' in Trail Blazers rotation

For those wondering if there was a second Robert Williams III trade in the works in as many offseasons after the Boston Celtics used him as a piece in the Jrue Holiday trade, it appears as though the "Time Lord" will be a building block for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Oregon Live's Aaron Fentress relays that Williams, Deandre Ayton, and Duop Reath are "solidified" at the center spot for the foreseeable future.

"The Portland Trail Blazers remain in the early stages of rebuilding, but one position that appears the most solidified is center with Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III and Duop Reath," Fentress wrote.

"It’s a versatile group that will provide coach Chauncey Billups with a variety of options to work with led by Ayton, a unique offensive threat and rebounding machine, backed by Williams, a high-end defensive presence."

Malcolm Brogdon the more likely former Boston Celtics player the Blazers will trade

Williams' trade value was not helped by his six appearances during the 2023-24 season, but an ex-Celtic who did boost his stock was Malcolm Brogdon; whose assist numbers went up despite playing with a far less talented roster in Portland than he had when he won the Sixth Man of the Year award following the 2022-23 campaign in Boston.

Brogdon is playing on an expiring $22.5 million deal and could be shipped to a contender in need of ball-handling -- the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets spring to mind -- or a rising team that can positively influence the locker room with an eight-year veteran who's been in winning environments for most of his career outside of his one season with the Trail Blazers.

Perhaps Portland doesn't strike a deal with Brogdon and runs it back with the Atlanta native, but it sounds like he'll be the former Celtic on the move. Not Williams.