The New Orleans Pelicans have interest in Scoot Henderson, but it appears as though both the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers will keep their top-3 picks. The Hornets are expected to select Brandon Miller, while the Blazers would then pick Henderson.
The Pelicans were not prepared to trade Zion Williamson in any scenario outside of a move for Henderson.
“It’s really the same it’s been for the last week,” said Brian Windhorst on First Take of a possible Williamson deal. “Seven to 10 days ago, the Pelicans showed interest in seeing if they could get a deal for either the No. 2 or No. 3 pick. We believe they really wanted Scoot Henderson…
“Mitch Kupchak came out yesterday and said ‘We’re not trading the pick. We’re going to draft.’
“And the Blazers have pretty much told anybody’s who called recently, and I know we’re in disinformation time, but the Blazers have made it known they’re going to pick.
“So those were the options for Zion. As far as I know, it wasn’t like they were holding him out there and say ‘Call and make an offer.’
“They were thinking what it would cost to move into the top-3 in this draft. That does not seem like it’s going to happen. I believe Zion Williamson is going to remain a Pelican. I don’t think it was ever seriously close to him not. I just think there were discussions that were made and that’s why it got out there.”
If the Blazers keep the pick, many teams around the league are waiting for the reaction of Damian Lillard as he wants the team to be in win-now mode.