New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has made plenty of headlines this summer, and most have been regrettable. There have also been conflicting reports about his availability. Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes noted the two-time All-Star is available if the “right package” comes along, but others have refuted that claim. Usually, a bit of smoke means discussions went down, but that does not ensure a deal will happen.
Could the Pelicans trade Zion? The 23-year-old has been one of the best players in the NBA when healthy, but he has played just 114 games in his first four NBA seasons. If he plays 30 in the coming year, that will be the second-most in his career. Williamson is working to address that, but there are no guarantees.
He still has significant value, and the Pelicans may be attempting to gauge just how much. With any young budding star comes massive offers, but does New Orleans get one that is just too good to pass up?
Zion Williamson trade packages the New Orleans Pelicans cannot refuse
5. Zion heads to Big Apple
The Knicks are known to be star-hunting, and they have both young talent and draft picks to trade. How much are they willing to give up to get Zion? It would take a massive offer for the Pelicans to accept, but could they get enough pieces from New York to stay in contention and improve their future?
If the Knicks trade for Zion, Julius Randle likely comes back in the deal, and the Pelicans should be focused on getting additional pieces to build out their roster.
New Orleans gets an All-Star, two serviceable rotation players, and three first-round picks for their star. Brandon Ingram, C.J. McCollum, and Randle give the Pelicans playoff hope, and they would have depth and a massive stockpile of assets to further improve their roster if a superstar becomes available.
There is plenty of risk to a trade like this. If Zion stays healthy and becomes an all-time great in New York, the Pelicans are forever the team that dumped him too soon. New Orleans could be better with three quality pieces over an oft-injured star.
If they can get the Knicks to throw in Randle, Quickley, Grimes, and multiple first-round draft picks, the New Orleans Pelicans have to consider it, and the trade might just be too good to pass up.