One of the biggest storylines this offseason will undoubtedly revolve around a player who isn’t even eligible for free agency.
While three of the top five picks in the 2019 draft – Ja Morant, RJ Barrett and Darius Garland – have delivered highly productive seasons for their respective teams, that draft’s No. 1 pick has been in virtual seclusion most of the season.
Pelicans big man Zion Williamson wasn’t supposed to be out of uniform all season but the rehab from his surgically-repaired right foot has dragged on. He suffered a couple of setbacks along the way and only recently returned to New Orleans. He spent a good chunk of the season rehabbing in Portland and hasn’t spoken to the media since September. It seems unlikely we’ll see him suit up before the end of the season.
He’s gone from freakish talent to one of the league’s biggest enigmas. It’s difficult to say whether Zion wants to continue to his career in New Orleans. It’s also hard to know whether the Pelicans want to retain him long-term, considering his injury history and aloof personality.
Williamson is eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason. The former Duke star would be eligible to sign for up to five years with a starting salary worth 25% of the 2023/24 salary cap (or 30%, if he makes an All-NBA team next season). We don’t know the exact amount yet, but if the ’23/24 cap comes in at $125MM, a five-year max for Zion would work out to at least $181MM.
If Williamson signs an extension this offseason, he’ll likely push for the max or something very close to it. If an extension agreement isn’t reached, Williamson would be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2023 (as long as New Orleans extends a qualifying offer).
New Orleans has two very good players – Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum – and adding a healthy, productive, motivated Williamson would form the core of a solid playoff team. That’s a huge if.
The draft lottery could also play a role in the Pelicans’ decision. They’ll get the Lakers pick if it lands in the top 10. They’ll also keep their own pick if it lands in the top four — otherwise, it will be conveyed to either Portland or Charlotte.
Let’s not forget how dominant Williamson can be when he’s healthy. He averaged 27.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 3.7 APG last season. If New Orleans front office has soured on him or he asks for a trade, plenty of teams would line up and offer a substantial haul for his services despite his nagging foot issues.
That leads us to our question of the day: What should the Pelicans do with Zion Williamson this offseason – pursue a max extension, trade him, or wait to see how next season plays out and allow him to become a restricted free agent in 2023?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
It’s not hard at all to tell if he wants to be in New Orleans. He clearly doesn’t. It’s also not hard to tell if the Pelicans want him there long term. They obviously do. Sooner or later they’ll come to the realization that he’s not gonna resign & they’ll trade him. There’s no team in the league that fits him as well as the Hawks. John Collins, Kevin Huerter & a 1st should get it done
Wouldn’t you rather have Collins and Huerter, who’ve proven their durability and reliability in a tough playoff series?
Zion is far more talented, but you’re betting on his health which so far isn’t a wise move.
Zion’s health isn’t that big of a deal tbh. He could’ve played way more his rookie season but they were over cautious with him which u can understand. He beasted on MJ/Shaq/Bron levels in his 2nd season. This season he would’ve been playing if not for the fact that he just doesn’t wanna play for New Orleans. I love John & Kev but Zion is a HOF level guy & it’s extremely hard to get those type guys, especially for a franchise like the Hawks that isn’t usually a free agent destination. Plus I mean John is literally hurt rn, anybody can/everybody will get hurt. Kev proved himself in the playoffs last season but has regressed a bit after getting his bag & it’s obv that he’ll always be a weak spot defensively. Trae/Jalen/Dre/Zion/Onyeka would be a ridiculously strong young core & it just seems like all the signs are pointing to this being what Zion wants
How’s that Hawks dynasty going you predicted? Dudes are barely in playoff contention. They would be foolish to give all that up for Zion. Real life isn’t a video game!
Hawks just blew out the #2 team in the league without either of our 2 best players last night so yea lol the dynasty is lookin pretty good rn. Great W. Same depth that propelled us to our great postseason last yr is what led us to that victory last night. Except this yr we have Delon Wright… We’d be foolish to give up all what? 2 players & a pick? Lol man y’all have short memories. Not sure what a video game has to do with anything but u definitely suggest you watch some Zion Williamson highlights and remember how great that kid is at basketball
Well I admit I thought you had 1-2 more names when I first read so I admit my fault. So that package is absolutely nothing for Zion. Furthermore he has almost no leverage for the next 3-4 years so they have no reason to sell cheap. Also the hawks are no longer sniffing a championship.
Lol, the Hawks are 35-35 after the win you’re so proud of (compared to 33-27 last year, with Morant clearly not 100% in that game). 18-24 vs .500+ teams, last season was a fluke.
Hawks are 1-0 in the game the other night but 34-35 in the rest of them.
Meant to say 39-31 last season, so they’ve regressed.
I really don’t see that getting it done. A maybe borderline All-Star, a solid role player and a late teen at best first? I would think other teams could offer better deals.
Who could/would beat that offer?..
several teams could beat that offer just by throwing in more picks. why would you give up a once in a generation talent for a above average starter, a role player and a mid to late first round pick?
To answer your question, the only reason you’d trade a generational talent like Zion is bc he’s made it clear that he doesn’t wanna play for you… But you still haven’t answered my question… Several teams like who? What could/would they offer that would beat John Collins, Kevin Huerter & a 1st?..
Its a solid offer no doubt
Maybe they throw in 2 1st’s for appearances but either way I could see that getting done as w/ out an extension Peli’s have no leverage
*They can’t and won’t name other packages. Easier to rip than think on the internet and it’s much safer
With mentioned trade to Hawks, GM Griffin would want 3 #1 picks, at least one 2nd round pick, 1st round pick swaps, plus John Collins, Kevin Huerter…ASSETS Like the AD TRADE TO LA… funny AD & ZION, both can’t stay healthy..
Such a great player and a seemingly great kid. I love all of you calling him fat, he’s anything but. He’s just a naturally broad guy and likely has very low body fat %.
It’s just the wrong build for a sport that puts so much torque on joints. Barkley managed it but I can’t think of many others. The PJ Tuckers and other 6’5″ 230+ players of the league were always relatively earthbound. Who else at that kind of size? I haven’t had coffee yet.
I played to a junior international level as a 6’5″ small forward but as I got to my late teens and filled out to my adult weight of a lean but broad 240 I started having constant ankle and knee issues which eventually stopped me playing.
He has the talent of a max player but if he wants out he wants out. If it’s just media noise, assert some kind of faith in him and begin to draw up a contract with Embiid language. Making him a RFA just continues to sour the situation, if indeed things are as bad as reported.
If they trade him this off-season they are selling low and doubt they get anyone that’s a difference maker at a position of need.
Not a single person has called him fat. What and ti whom are you trying to explain all this stuff too sir?
You say he’s a max player after saying what probably won’t stay healthy. Stay on some type of point if you plan on making one please!
read past Zion comment sections. there are plenty of “fat” comments.
Well…….. he is fat. I wonder what his number 1 pick is at the buffet?
I mention if there’s talk of a max contract, which his talent warrants, let it be one with caveats based on health.
Even if he is just a broad body, 6’6 280+ is still big. I mean that’s as big, if not bigger, than some guys who are strictly centers. Even as much of a freak athlete that Zion is, there eventually should be some sort of wear and tear just because of his size. We’re partially seeing that now and he’s only 3 seasons into his career.
To me it’s clear he doesn’t want to be New Orleans. Whether he’s targeting a specific place or two (like New York) or just wants to get out of NO only he knows. Imo, it’s just a matter of when he asks out at this point…does he ask to be traded before he hits free agency or does he take the max contract offer NO will probably offer him and then ask for out. The unfortunate part for NO is that they’re not going to get the haul back that they probably expect because of his injury history.
He could be an offensive lineman in the NFL!
There is no denying the talent Zion has. But there has never been an impact player like him because his body and play style are incompatible. He will never be more than a footnote and a cautionary tale.
Trade him ASAP. Time only makes this more obvious and that hurts his trade value.
Offer Zion an extention. Even if he’s not the next coming of [insert past superstar’s name], he’s still a very good player. If you can get him for less than the max than that’s a boon.
My redraft 2019
1 Morant
2 Garland
3 Herro
4 Poole
5 cam Johnson
6 RJ
7 Zion
lol ur nuts if u put herro,cam johnson,poole,RJ over Zion. three of them are on good teams and RJ is just putting empty stats
That’s about right redraft… Zion may be a future star,1) but his usage rate at that size, weight is not sustainable… will always be injured, Kris Porzinis …needs to be slimmer to Remove stress on lower body 2) He does not want to be in New Orleans, 3) As JJ Reddick has mentioned, not invested in New Orleans, not calling or texting, welcoming CJ to town in a timely manner is telling… STARS ARE NOT EASY TO GET, TRADE HIM FOR A BIGTIME PACKAGE, He will demand trade to big city after signing max extension… CAN HE EVER STAY HEALTHY, OR IS HE CLOSER TO OLIVER MILLER WHO ATE HIMSELF OUT OF THE LEAGUE… You can probably swindle the Knicks for a big package of players, draft picks, draft swaps that will bury the Knicks for the next 10 yrs…. TRADE HIM BEFORE HE TRADES YOU…..
I’d go
1. Ja
2. Garland
3. Herro
4. RJ
5. Zion
6. Poole
7. Keldon Johnson
8. DeAndre Hunter
9. Cam Johnson
10. Mattise Thybulle
11. Kevin Porter Jr
12. Rui Hachimura
Sign and Trade him to the Knicks for Kemba Walker, Obi Toppin, Burks, 4 1sts and pick swaps.
How do you even offer him a max or expect to trade him for a huge haul if the only thing going for him is his theoretical ceiling?
If I were the Pels I would take the best offer ASAP. Heck, trade him to the Saints.
Saints can use a tight end with hops, receiving tight end, too soft not a blocker… In NFL he will always be injured….
There’s definitely some weight issues, he outweighs Embiid and weighs the same as Jokic. He has hops like a pogo stick though so it’s hard to say. There’s no way the Pelicans don’t offer him the max though they built the team around his talents and his there hasn’t been a more talented player then Zion taken since Durant.
Some of these comments are proving my point.
I don’t see them as weight issues – it’s genetics. Some people with incredibly lean and fit bodies are classed as obese on BMI. I absolutely cannot weigh less than 240 at 6’5″. Zion has a massive musculature. Maybe he could adjust diet to be less bulky but he’s never going to be 6’6″ 220 a la Rodman.
Go full Shaq or don’t, there’s no in-between.
draft kenneth lofton jr right there out of louisiana tech. 6’7″, 280.
He fat!
He ain’t fat!
He sure looks fat..
Hey, Joel Embid is a franchise player who overcame 2 years of foot injuries… Zion is not going to achieve stardom in New Orleans even if he can overcome injuries… He does not want to be there…
Have to trade him.
I know they want to keep him but he wants out, he’s not a team player, he’s has no professionalism, and it’s just another saga you don’t want to drag on.
Teams will still be lining up for him, Atlanta, New York, Boston I could see showing interest, Charlotte, Indy, Houston, OKC, San Antonio and so on.
You have a decent core Graham, McCollum, Ingram, Jones, Big Val, Nance, Hayes, Murphy and Alvarado. A fringe playoff side that just needs a little more.
Id take John Collins, Hueter and a pair of firsts, or Randle, Kemba and 2 firsts. Wood, KPJ and 3 firsts from Houston is another good option.
Consider it very unlikely but what If Donovan Mitchell starts talking after the Jazz don’t go far in the playoffs. Then instead of trading him they decide nah we want to build around him and will go young and trade Rudy Gobert and 2 firsts for Zion and Hayes.
I don’t see a {primarily} pick based trade so X off OKC Hou SAS Indy Cha as they don’t have the spare NBA young parts to move that NO would covet –
Atl makes the most sense to me as they can provide service ready players +picks – NO could chose Hunter over Huerter maybe Oko gets shaped in or Bogs somehow, they have all the angles covered . ATL has all their future picks to boot as sweeteners
If Zion can stay healthy, BIG IF, he would play well in Atlanta with Trae, the lobs to the basket… Hawks would need 2 spare backboards….. He’s not staying in NO, even if he signs extension, he will force trade out… If he ever wound up in NY they would eat him up if something went bad… Julius Randle… He appears to be coddled, deserves everything mentality. Feel Griffin will say the right things, and trade him, but what GM would take him in current health condition, some GM would take a chance… Zion will always be injury prone because of his body type, and NBA constant grind… BAD RISK// Or GREAT UPSIDE? Stay tuned, should be fun…
I kind like the hawks (Sixers fan), they earned my respect in that series win and in the games I’ve watched this season I just don’t think Zion would be a good fit.
On paper they have the pieces to get a deal done and could pull the trigger I just don’t think they will and don’t think it would be the correct decision.
As for your other parts as I said I think Christian Wood, KPJ and 3 firsts would be enough.
Rockets get to build around Green and Zion which could be exciting. As for the Pelicans I think they would accept the deal. KPJ has heaps of potential, Wood puts up all star level numbers and three firsts is huge.
Knicks make a lot of sense considering they almost had the number 1 pick and took him. Now they have his ex college teammates Reddish and Barrett. Julius Randle is an obvious piece to move…
I think CHA could make a deal if they really wanted too. They have a bunch of interesting players on all sorts of contracts and have picks they could offer
Randle is a great example of what Zion should be, but x5. Bull in a china shop.
I dont think NYK has the {positive} assets sans involving RJ (which they won’t)
Cha’s tough to work w 2 yrs of Hayward, Bridges to pay, and still stretching Batum (idiotic) . Is MJ going outta pocket?
Can’t see 1 yr of Wood, lets throw in Gordon, and KPJ (whoes coming up on a questionable payday) interesting NO that much …Perhaps Hou+Zion inj poss + UNPROTECTED get’s there attention but I still don’t think you trade the upside for that in the end
I think on paper Graham McCollum Ingram Wood and Big V make a solid starting 5.
Off the bench and looking to the future you have KPJ, Herb Jones, Hayes, Nance, Murphy etc etc plus the picks I think it would get some attention. NO also could afford to pay Wood and KPJ but it would pose a big risk on 1 year deal so I could see them also saying no.
I mean on paper Atalanta makes the most sense but at the same time I think NO will try their hardest to hold onto Zion and eventually it’ll make the market harder to deal him.
I think realistically he probably stays until next years trade deadline and forces his way out. Couldn’t pick a team he fits on besides New York
Actually they should trade Zion asap, before he even gets on the court….Does Griffin / NO want to go through this again. Cut bait. Trade him, before he trades you…
Max Extension!
It’s seems many have forgotten or didn’t see what Zion can do healthy. No one can do what he does and he is young and inexperienced. No way you pass up this gamble.
Look at Embiid. It was widely thought he would be derailed by injuries and he was immature. Philly stuck with him and he’s an MVP candidate and has grown up a little too.
Zion’s a rare talent that makes domination look easy and he’s only 21. It’s too soon to give up on him and the Pelicans need to show their commitment to him by extending him this summer.
It really depends on if he wants to leave. There’s no reason for the Pels to risk the potential that he never gets healthy if he’s not committed.
His body type at that weight doesn’t play in NBA fast pace transition / grind…Would never physically make it through the season & playoffs healthy… Sure he has the talent, he wants to be Giannis, but he has to lose 25/ 30 pds to be in game shape…too much stress on knees to play at that weight & pace… Joel is 7ft/ 280.. Zion 6Ft 5. 280+…
Zion is boring at this point……
snooze alarm. wake me when he’s in shape. snooze alarm ……. then call me when he’s in basketball shape. snooze alarm …… then call me when he actually plays ball.
NY wants no part of the “Michelin Guy”
link to images.app.goo.gl
Like I said before, if they had the means(which they don’t) and if he were available(which he isn’t) the Knicks would drop everything to get Zanos.
No team should want Zion unless they know they can get the athlete Zion. Forget the weight issue, which is a real concern. But all he’s shown so far is he’s not invested in playing ball. An athlete’s life is not long. And he’s already wasted 3 yrs and counting. And I do mean wasted…. Pelicans included in wasting. I want no part of that. I’m fine with a lottery pick this yr. Knicks have taken enough chances on wasted talent over the yrs. Fools gold. I’m good with seeing this rebuild thru.
Easiest answer ever… You always give him the max, just rueing that you can’t give him more than the max!
If for some reason you are one of the dumbest people in the world & don’t wanna give him the max… then you trade him, as simple as!
As a matter of fact there is no question if he is worth the max, make no mistake about it!
But this summer or next? The choice is NOLA’s.
It is possible ZW is not viable, shape-wise.
Even if so, the refs have to allow him to use his weight, assuming he insists on doing so like Shaq did and he did himself. Some bigs even with good alternatives, prefer to stick with their plan A’s and become predictable using their size. Hakeem Olajuwon, on the other hand, developed the dream shake, and starred for two titles.
Refs have to help people like Shaq “get started to the rim” to be effective, even if the standing defender gets knocked backwards in the process. Shaq was popular and willing; ZW is a no-show.
The blessing to the FO is that he can still hold good trade value if maxxed this summer.
I would put the issue to CJ Mccollum… He will probably be a GM before too long anyway, and is relevant to fixing the team now.