ESPN just made a list, based on its insiders’ predictions, of NBA players who are most likely to request a trade next. New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson topped the list, earning 10 of the 25 possible votes there were to go around. The league’s biggest insiders think he’ll want out next.
On the surface, that makes plenty of sense. When he’s on the court, Williamson is one of the most dominant players in the league, and the Pelicans haven’t been able to enjoy much success since he joined them. But that’s also partly his fault, as he can’t stay on the court.
That’s where things get a bit tricky.
Would Zion Williams actually request a trade?
Nothing is simple when it comes to Williamson. Could he look to request a trade at some point? Maybe. But at the same time, it seems just as likely that the Pelicans cut their losses and try to move him. His time in New Orleans has been marred by mess after mess.
First and foremost, as mentioned, Williamson has been unable to stay on the court. That alone has limited the Pelicans’ ability to effectively compete in the Western Conference. And at the same time, it seriously limits his actual trade value around the league.
However, the fact that the Pelicans recently swapped out their front office leadership may mean Williamson has a new lease on life in New Orleans:
“Williamson's stay in New Orleans might have been extended by the Pelicans' front office change, with Joe Dumars replacing David Griffin as the primary decision-maker,” wrote Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “If Williamson can have a strong start to the season -- and avoid the injury bug that has plagued his career -- it's feasible that he could seek a fresh start instead of remaining with a New Orleans franchise that seems stuck in neutral.”
All that said, if Williamson does manage to get healthy, and the Pelicans aren’t ready to help him compete, there’s no reason he could ask to be moved.
And even if his injury issues do persist, it’s also possible that he could simply want a fresh start in a new situation. The Pelicans are clearly gearing up for a bit of a youth movement, having drafted Jeremiah Fears, traded up for Derik Queen, and swapped out CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole. If Williamson wants a new place to compete, he could ask out.
But again, nothing that’s been reported has indicated either side wanting to end the relationship immediately. There have definitely been plenty of bumps in the road, but that might just be the reality.
If nothing else, Williamson’s situation in New Orleans is one of the most complicated ones around the association.