The New Orleans Pelicans weren't thinking about a future trade when they won the draft lottery in 2019. All that was on their mind was Zion Williamson's arrival changing the course of their franchise and one day helping them raise a championship banner(s). Little did they know what was coming.
Offseason Zion trade rumors feel like an annual tradition at this point. There is always at least a whisper about his future in New Orleans. That's what happens when you're injury-prone and play for an underachieving team. What has kept Zion with the Pelicans to this point is the kind of player he is when he's healthy (and a lack of strong interest from other teams). The problem is that it isn't a regular occurrence.
The start of a new season is less than two months away. Believe it or not, there is already chatter that Zion could be traded midseason. "The Athletic NBA Daily" podcast crew labeled the 25-year-old as one of the most likely players to be traded next season.
They highlighted the Pelicans' strength of schedule (it's not looking good), saying that if the team gets off to a slow start, a trade could materialize, especially if Zion is healthy. It'd be foolish of them not to capitalize on that opportunity.
Is Zion Williamson's time with the Pelicans coming to a close?
What the Pelicans could get in return for Zion is a good question. If they expect multiple first-round picks, they'll be disappointed. There isn't a team out there that should be willing to give up much for Zion, no matter how good he can be. It'd be too much of a risk.
Zion would do New Orleans a favor if he got off to a hot start. That wouldn't be enough for the Pelicans to vault themselves into the title conversation because that'd take a miracle. New Orleans doesn't have that kind of magic up its sleeve. The Pelicans aren't going anywhere in the West, making a Zion trade seem that much more possible.
It's surprising that he's stayed in New Orleans for as long as he has. He's to blame for part of that. He hasn't done what he should as a professional athlete to take care of himself. Opposing teams don't want to deal with that. It hasn't seemed like even the Pelicans want to deal with that, which is why they structured his contract the way it is.
After literal years of waiting, maybe Zion's time is coming to a close in New Orleans. That outcome will be better than the Pelicans being stuck with him.