After playing their best basketball of the season and winning five straight games just around two weeks ago, the New Orleans Pelicans have come crashing back down to reality. Friday night's loss to Portland was the Pelicans' sixth straight, and while the team is struggling, Zion Williamson continues to look like a top-10 player in the world.
To tip off the New Year for the Pelicans, Williamson scored 35 points, brought in eight rebounds, had two assists, two steals, and two blocks. He also shot an efficient 57 percent from the floor against elite rim protectors Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III
Over his last three games, Williamson is averaging 32.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.6 stocks (steals + blocks) on 62.3 shooting from the floor in just 29.7 minutes per game.
With the Pelicans continuing to fall in a deeper hole in the Western Conference standings and Williamson playing at an elite level, the front office faces a tough decision ahead of the trade deadline. Do they trade Williamson as his value may never be higher, or do they buy into the idea that he can keep this production up long-term alongside Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, and Trey Murphy III?
Zion’s best basketball isn’t resulting in wins
It feels like every year, as the deadline approaches, these same conversations are had about Williamson and what his future looks like in New Orleans. Typically, when he plays, the only thing holding the Pelicans back is Williamson's injuries. That isn't the case this season.
In the 20 games Williamson has appeared in this season, the Pelicans hold a record of 5-15 in those games. That stat alone should force the Pelicans' front office to seriously reconsider their direction.
Obviously, New Orleans is a better team when Williamson plays because he's an All-Star-level player who can take over games. But they still aren't a playoff-level team, and when he plays, they still have a well below .500 record. Which is why I ask the question: What value does holding onto him through another trade deadline bring to this team? All it does is slow down the rebuilding process around Queen and Fears.
There was a concern for a little while that if Williamson were to be traded early this season, his value would likely be at an all-time low. Which is a narrative his recent production has flipped on its head, blessing the Pelicans with the perfect sell-high opportunity.