5 Zion Williamson trade packages that the Pelicans cannot refuse

1. Pelicans get Dame

Lillard wants out of Portland, and the Miami Heat are his preferred destination. The seven-time All-Star is only interested in teaming with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, but what if the two sides cannot work out a deal? At some point, the Trail Blazers are going to move on and consider other offers, and the Pelicans may be the one to defeat.

Portland wants to dump Jusuf Nurkic’s contract on whatever team lands Damian Lillard, so the Pelicans improve their offer by agreeing to take him on. New Orleans gives back Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas, and Larry Nance Jr. to help Portland stay in contention. If Scoot Henderson, Shaedon, and Anfernee Simons blossom, the Trail Blazers could quickly become a feared team in the West with Zion.

This is New Orleans going all-in right now. Can they win with a Lillard and CJ McCollum backcourt? Is Brandon Ingram and Lillard a good enough superstar duo to be contenders in the loaded Western Conference? The Pelicans could be motivated to acquire one of the 15 best players in the league. The next move would likely be trading draft capital to try to find a third star as they try to win it all.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in a position to do whatever they believe gives them a chance to contend, but they need to help Zion Williamson stay on the floor or trade him before his value plummets. Which avenue will they choose? Stay tuned to find out.

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