On Sunday, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the New Orleans Pelicans want to try to make things work with Zion Williamson (subscription required), rather than trading him. He represented the organization at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago as the Pelicans slipped to No. 7.
New Orleans knows what it's like to win the lottery for a highly-touted prospect out of Duke, but unfortunately, the Pelicans' luck hasn't translated into on-court success. They've made the playoffs twice since drafting Zion with the No. 1 pick in 2019, but both were first-round exits.
Zion trade rumors are never-ending because he hasn't come close to living up to his potential in New Orleans. Availability is his biggest issue, as he's coming off a season where he played 30 games. Zion's career-high games played is 70 in 2023-24, but he got hurt during the Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers, and didn't play in the following elimination game against the Kings. He also didn't play in the team's 2022 first-round playoff loss.
There has been even more speculation about Zion's future with the Pelicans because the organization fired David Griffin and replaced him with Joe Dumars. However, as Stein noted, it'd be unusual for New Orleans to send Zion to the draft lottery if the team intended to trade him.
Pelicans reportedly want to make things work with Zion Williamson
New Orleans fans know what getting their hopes up about Zion is like. They've heard stories about his work over the offseason and how it'd translate to on-court success for the Pelicans. They've heard Zion was ready to hold himself accountable and take his role seriously. None of the above has happened.
The team's lack of success in recent years doesn't fall solely on Zion's shoulders, but he deserves some blame. However, the new regime believes he'll turn things around next season. Griffin stuck by Zion, a decision that contributed to the Pelicans deciding to go in a different direction because of the team's struggles.
The 24-year-old is signed through 2027-28 (the salaries are non-guaranteed). Dumars' plan seems to be for Zion to suit up for New Orleans again next season. When healthy, he's nearly unstoppable, but that's the issue. The Pelicans can't afford to bank on a player who spends more time on the sidelines than on the floor, no matter how good he can be.
The West is only getting better, especially after the draft lottery. New Orleans has failed to prove on too many occasions to count that it can keep up with the top teams in its conference. Dumars hopes to change that. Maybe he will, but it'll take Zion having a career year across the board.