NEWSLETTER
The New Orleans Pelicans could be on the cusp of a blockbuster trade with Zion Williamson.
Last week, we learned that the Pelicans had interest in acquiring a top-3 pick in the coming NBA Draft, specifically with an eye on selecting guard Scoot Henderson. Of course, to get a deal of that magnitude done, a franchise typically needs an All-Star-caliber asset to trade. Fortunately, the Pelicans have two: Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. And lately, it seems they’ve learned toward trading the latter.
In fact, according to a source of The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, this could all go down very soon.
“The Zion thing is a real, real, real subplot. I had someone tell me yesterday that I trust that he will not be on that team Thursday. I was like ‘really, I haven’t heard that?’ And he said, ‘you watch,'” he said on the more recent episode of the Bill Simmons Podcast.
Of course, only time will tell if Simmons’ source is right. This is especially true with Shams Charania reporting that the Hornets prefer to receive Ingram (not Williamson) in any such deal. But when push comes to shove, would the Pelicans budge and meet their demands?
The alternative choice, of course, would be a star-hungry franchise in Charlotte coming around to the idea of adding Williamson. While his inability to stay healthy remains a big concern, there is no debating whether he is one of the NBA’s more dominant forces (when on the floor). The Hornets just saw a new majority ownership group take over, too, which can always lead to some rather drastic moves.
Regardless of the exact trade details, everyone around the NBA will have their eyes on these Williamson discussions. Not only could a trade immediately change the ceiling of teams like the Trail Blazers and Hornets, but it could also have a domino effect on the rest of the market. Remember, teams across the lottery are reportedly hoping to find a trade partner.
