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Zion Williamson’s trade value has become a topic of significant debate among NBA executives and general managers. According to a report by Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks of ESPN, the New Orleans Pelicans face a complex decision regarding the 2019 No. 1 overall pick, whose career has been hindered by recurring injuries.

Williamson has played just 190 games in six seasons and remains sidelined with a hamstring injury suffered earlier this season. His $36.2 million salary for the 2024-25 season becomes fully guaranteed on January 7, further complicating New Orleans’ options.

Despite his extensive injury history, Williamson’s talent still intrigues league executives. “He’s dominant when healthy,” a rival GM told ESPN. “But when’s the last time you’ve seen him play?”

Williamson’s unique contract structure also plays a role in trade discussions. His five-year, $197 million deal includes non-guaranteed seasons based on weight and game availability benchmarks. While the Pelicans are not considering waiving him, this flexibility could make his contract attractive in trade scenarios.

Some executives believe Williamson’s value lies in his potential as a “trial basis” superstar for teams willing to take a calculated risk. Possible trade partners include franchises like the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls, which have assets to make a deal viable.

The Warriors, with expiring contracts and young players like Jonathan Kuminga, could pair Williamson with Stephen Curry in their pursuit of contention. Meanwhile, the Bulls, who are shopping Zach LaVine, might view Williamson as a gamble worth taking.

However, opinions on Williamson’s market value vary. Some see him commanding late first-round picks and salary fillers, while others think rebuilding teams might gamble on his upside. One executive noted, “It’s a risk, but some team might take the risk.”

The Pelicans’ front office remains focused on returning Williamson to full health. Team sources emphasized that his immediate goal is recovery rather than exploring trade options. As one source told ESPN, “Let’s ramp him up and create value for him, whether that’s with the Pelicans or another team.”

Williamson has appeared in only six games this season, averaging 22.7 points, 8 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 31 minutes per game. With and Brandon Ingram out, the Pelicans took a nosedive and are now at the bottom of the Western Conference with a league-worst record of 5 wins and 28 losses.