Grade the Trade: Pelicans ditch Zion Williamson in mock deal with Mavs, Blazers

It’s been a very weird offseason for the New Orleans Pelicans, and more specifically, for their relationship with superstar big man Zion Williamson. He’s been involved in his fair share of drama.

Obviously, there was the very public announcement that he is going to become a father, which was followed closely by a string of tweets from another woman, all of which were slewing Williamson.

Then, there were a ton of rumblings heading into the NBA Draft that the Pelicans wanted to trade into the top three and land star prospect Scoot Henderson.

Those were paired with rumors that they could be willing to include Williamson in a potential trade. However, the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets showed middling interest in Williamson.

Grade the Trade: Pelicans ditch Zion Williamson in mock deal with Mavs, Blazers

New Orleans then parted ways with assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who worked closely with Williamson, and that sparked even more rumors.

Indications pointed toward the relationship between Williamson and the organization slowly deteriorating, and speculations began to arise that he may have played his last game in a Pelicans jersey.

Yet we are now at the beginning of July, and no moves have been made. Williamson is still on the Pelicans, Henderson is on the Trail Blazers, and New Orleans hasn’t made any significant changes to the roster.

However, a trade recently proposed by The Smoking Cuban would see the Pelicans take a massive swing, flipping Williamson for a more established star.

Let’s take a look at the three-team deal with the Dallas Mavericks and Blazers and grade it for each team involved.