The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled to find consistent success this season despite Zion Williamson’s presence on the court, holding a disappointing 9-19 record in games he has played.
With the team set to field an expensive roster next season, speculation continues to grow around the possibility of Williamson being made available in trade discussions, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reports.
Even though the power forward has remained healthy and performed well in recent weeks, rival executives still question whether the Pelicans would consider moving on from their franchise cornerstone.
“The question about the Pelicans is whether they would consider trading Zion,” a rival general manager told ESPN.
“It hasn’t really been an option over the last couple of years because he’s been injured, and his value hasn’t been high enough. Even now, I don’t think they could get great value. So they will probably see if he can carry this play over into next year.”
While Williamson’s talent and upside are undeniable, his injury history and the Pelicans’ uneven performance with him in the lineup have raised concerns about whether he can be the true centerpiece of a contending team.
Given the financial commitments the franchise faces moving forward, New Orleans may have to weigh its long-term outlook carefully.
If the player can maintain his recent level of play into next season, the Pelicans could either solidify their belief in him as their cornerstone or find themselves in a better position to maximize his trade value should they choose to explore that path.
Williamson has played 5 seasons for the Pelicans. He has averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 212 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 2 All-Star games.
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