One East executive, however, called gauging Williamson’s trade value “the hardest question to answer in the NBA right now.” “It’s really hard to see anybody paying a ton for him right now, but there are a very limited number of players in the league when healthy who are at or near the franchise-player tier,” the East executive said. “The only way you win at the highest level is to have a guy who can do the type of things he can do if he’s healthy. “I would probably do something stupid to get him if it were me making decisions.”
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Zion Williamson won’t request a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans sportando.basketball/en/zion-willia… – 12:55 PM
Zion Williamson won’t request a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans sportando.basketball/en/zion-willia… – 12:55 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Reporting with @espn_macmahon
Answering the hardest question in the NBA
What to do with Zion Williamson
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 9:56 AM
Reporting with @espn_macmahon
Answering the hardest question in the NBA
What to do with Zion Williamson
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 9:56 AM
More on this storyline
In the unlikely scenario that New Orleans waives Williamson before July 15, when $38.9 million of his salary for 2025-26 becomes guaranteed, the Pelicans could have up to $30 million in cap space — but would have to replace both Williamson and Ingram, who account for a combined 45 points per game when healthy. Still, even without releasing Williamson, the unique structure of his contract could be a valuable tool for the Pelicans. -via ESPN / December 31, 2024
There could also be a middle ground for a trade suitor. Willamson’s contract would allow a team to acquire a superstar on a trial basis. Several executives polled agreed that Williamson’s talent — as rarely as it has been on display — would still generate some interest in the trade market. As one general manager said, “We’ve seen worse players have value despite injuries.” Added another: “It’s a risk, but some team might take the risk.” -via ESPN / December 31, 2024
New Orleans paid Williamson as a franchise player but included language that protected the franchise if Williamson missed more than 22 games in the 2022-23 or 2023-24 season. He missed 53 in 2022-23, meaning Williamson’s salaries in the remaining three seasons ($38.9 million in 2025-26, $41.5 million in 2026-27 and $44.2 million in 2027-28) are non-guaranteed. “It is one the best contracts in the NBA,” an Eastern Conference executive told ESPN. “But looking back, it is hard to argue that any team would have guaranteed Zion $197 million without conditions in the extension.” -via ESPN / December 31, 2024