2018 NBA draft: Re-grading Pick Number 27. Robert Williams III: B+
Much was made about the end of Danny Ainge’s track record as a drafter but picks like this show that he has been hit with some undue amount of scrutiny. Robert Williams III was a gem this late in the draft. While he has become known as the Time Lord for too often being late to practice, Williams is turning into one of the more talented, if raw, big men in the league.
Of yet, Williams has yet to transcend a minute’s limit to fully realize his potential. As the end of the season neared Williams began to get more time and the hope is that next season, he is able to get more minutes on a more consistent basis. If his per-36-minute numbers are any indication, production is not the big man’s problem.
This season was his best yet. When considering a per-36-minute extrapolation Williams averaged an astonishing 15.2 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.3 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. He will now have Al Horford as a mentor and will ideally iron out the imperfections of his game. Danny Ainge was far from perfect but his knack for finding talent throughout the draft at an above-average rate was special.