Like the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, the New Orleans Pelicans season hasn’t gone nearly as expected. When Dejounte Murray fractured his hand late in the season opener, perhaps that was an omen. It just happened that nobody really read the tea leaves. Not until Zion Williamson, whom they considered trading last season, was ruled out with his own injury.
Now 18-49, the Pelicans aren’t competing for anything but their place in the NBA Draft Lottery. With the second-best odds to land the No. 1 pick, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg could be headed down to the bayou. If so, Williamson’s days as the face of the franchise could be numbered.
According to one anonymous general manager, Williamson’s future is in question anyway. The problem is that he doesn’t have “great value” on the trade market.
“The question about the Pelicans is whether they would consider trading Zion,” a rival general manager tells ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “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.”
Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Doesn’t Have ‘Great [Trade] Value’
Williamson is in the midst of the fourth season in which he’ll finish with fewer than 50 games played. For a player who’s only in his sixth season, that’s not an ideal ratio to say the least. His lack of durability is also among the reasons why he’s yet to lead the Pelicans to the postseason.
Just think, Williamson is a multi-faceted frontcourt player whose combination of strength and explosiveness inspires images of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. To this point of his career, he’s only been available for 212 games. However, he’s averaging 24.6 points per game and shooting 70.4 percent within three feet of the rim. Factoring in his playmaking and defensive upside at 24 years old, he has the chance to be an All-Star for years to come. He’s already been selected twice.
If he can stay healthy, his value will increase. There will be questions about his discipline for a while. Nonetheless, if he maintains a high level of conditioning, his value will increase. That being said, if Williamson’s health and conditioning weren’t concerns, New Orleans probably wouldn’t trade him unless he asked out.
Why would they, given the way they could build around him on offense?
Potential Destinations
There are expected to be “some teams with significant interest” in Williamson, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
It’s more difficult to pinpoint a potential destination for him than Suns stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal though. Durant and Beal, both offseason trade candidates, are older veterans looking to finish their career on a high note. In other words, they want to be on a bonafide contender.
Due to Williamson’s combination of youth, talent, and proven success, any type of team could put him on their short list.
For example, the middling Suns could see him as a win-now player with a long-term future in Phoenix. A near-elite team like the Denver Nuggets could see him as a player who’ll take them to the next level. The Brooklyn Nets could consider making him a cornerstone during their rebuild. He’s long been linked to the New York Knicks, who could look to shake up their starting five in the summer.
There are teams where he doesn’t make much sense though.
The Boston Celtics emphasize the 3-ball and defense, which aren’t exactly his strengths right now. His skillset also wouldn’t help the Orlando Magic much. The Oklahoma City Thunder could err on the side of caution when it comes to making such an extravagant trade. The Mavericks not only have Anthony Davis, they don’t need any injury-prone players.
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