Zion Williamson is entering a pivotal season with the New Orleans Pelicans, and it could also be his last. The Pelicans aren't in a position to contend for the title in a stacked conference, so their best bet is for Zion to be healthy for the first half of the season, upping his trade value for a pre-deadline move.
As simple as that sounds, it might not play out that way. Zion has struggled to stay healthy since the Pelicans drafted him with the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. Who he is when he's healthy has been enough for New Orleans to hang on as long as it has. Well, that and other teams not being willing to pay a high price for a star who can't stay on the court.
There have been trade rumors surrounding Zion and the Pelicans for literal years, but the 2025-26 season could be when they come to an end, at least for New Orleans. If he can start the first few months of the season strong, the Pelicans should capitalize on that by finding a trade suitor.
The reality is that it will take a lot more than Zion playing well for New Orleans to be a threat, so trading him while his value is high won't hurt the Pelicans. It'd be the best thing for them.
Pelicans need to trade Zion if he starts the season strong
Keeping Zion to have a shot to compete in the Play-In Tournament shouldn't be New Orleans' goal, not at all. It'd be the Pelicans' luck to decide to do that, only for Zion to get injured and be unable to finish the season. Or, to make it to the Play-In Tournament (which would be a feat in itself), and get injured there.
The Pelicans have played the waiting game long enough with Zion, and look where it's gotten them. It's not enough to think about the player he can be, about what he can accomplish when he's healthy. Those times have been few and far between.
Zion isn't to blame for the Pelicans' mismanagement over the past few years. He isn't the reason why New Orleans hasn't won a playoff series since he was drafted, but he hasn't done himself or the organization any favors, either.
There should be a team out there willing to take on Zion before the deadline, perhaps one in the East, desperate to make a run at a title in a weakened conference. If that's the case, the Pelicans shouldn't think twice about agreeing to a deal.