Since Shams Charania reported on Monday that the Pelicans have explored the possibility of trying to acquire a top-three pick in the draft in order to snag G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson, multiple NBA journalists – including Brian Windhorst of ESPN (YouTube link) and Substack writer Marc Stein – have confirmed New Orleans’ interest in Henderson.
The Pelicans like the idea of adding a more “traditional play-maker” to their roster after having CJ McCollum serve as the de facto point guard last season, according to Stein, who adds that New Orleans is “undeniably drawn” to Henderson.
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday, Windhorst said the Pelicans’ interest in moving up from No. 14 in the draft has rival teams speculating about whether former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson will hit the trade block.
“The Pelicans have had some cursory discussions (about moving up), from what I’ve been told. There haven’t been any offers made necessarily yet,” Windhorst said. “But it makes you really not take too far of a leap to wonder – and the league is certainly wondering – if the Pelicans are going to make, for the first time truly, Zion Williamson available ahead of next week’s draft. To get up to that level in the top five, you’d have to consider a player of this caliber.
“… I don’t know if anything’s going to truly develop there, but I think it’s fair to say based on my conversations, there’s an eye being kept toward whether the Pelicans would make Zion Williamson available.”
Stein has heard similar speculation and spoke to one “well-placed” source who believes that the Pelicans would be prepared to move Williamson if it meant they could land Henderson.
According to Stein, that source cited a “rising level of exasperation” in New Orleans about Zion’s injury history and his overall approach. The former Duke star has appeared in just 114 games in his first four NBA seasons due to a variety of health issues.
Of course, even if the Pelicans are willing to trade Williamson, it’s not clear whether the Hornets would be willing to give up the No. 2 overall pick in a deal for him, given not just his injury issues but his maximum-salary contract, which will go into effect this year.
A second source who spoke to Stein predicted that Charlotte would turn down an offer centered around the No. 2 pick and Williamson, though Stein notes that Hornets governor Michael Jordan may like the idea of acquiring a Jordan Brand star.
It’s possible the Trail Blazers would have interest in Williamson, Stein writes, but if the Blazers decide to trade the No. 3 pick, they’d likely prefer to acquire a star with a better track record of availability. It’s also not a lock that Henderson would be available for New Orleans if the team traded up to No. 3, since Charlotte could take him instead of Alabama’s Brandon Miller.
As we relayed earlier today, Jonathan Givony of ESPN.com wrote within his latest mock draft that the top of the draft could get a shake-up if the Pelicans include Brandon Ingram in an offer for the No. 2 pick, but Givony cautioned that it’s too early to say whether New Orleans would be willing to do so. For what it’s worth, Stein says his read right now is that the Pels would be less inclined to move Ingram than Williamson.
If I’m Portland know way Zion comes in that trade. Ingram, would be the player I wanted from New Orleans.
That would be just stupid of Charlotte to not give up what essentially would Brandon Miller for Zion Williamson. It would also be stupid of The Pelicans to offer that trade.
Blazers need to avoid the often injured ZW.
Portland NBA has had enough injury heart break the last 2 decades. (Greg Oden, Brandon Roy)
Sam Bowie! Walton !!
If Portland were to trade #3 and what they get for it is ZW, does ownership let Cronin stick around to trade Lillard after he demands out after that trade or bring in a new GM to trade him?
I suggested trading Zion last offseason and everyone ran to the comments to tell me I was wrong and so on.
The best ability is availability.
Zion has played 114 games out of a possible 314.
That’s basically a third of the games.
Unless your going to pay him a third of what he deserves (38.8mil/3= 13mil) the he’s going to be bad value.
He’s a freakish talent but even that doesn’t cover his lack of mental leadership, maturity, etc etc that makes you a complete basketball player.
I’d rather Brandon Ingram, I’d rather Herb Jones, Trey Murphy and the rest of the young guys.
It’s about time New Orleans says okay we have had enough, we actually want to win and go to the playoffs and stuff. Your no longer our guy
This is what I said in the Monday post. It makes sense for the Pelicans to think about cashing in Zion now and getting Scoot would be a nice high risk and high reward move for both teams. I would do it if I were the Pelicans.
I want to know. If you trade for Zion. Do we also get the strippers. I got a bachelor party coming up in August. ……..
I thought too much sex makes you thin.
In 2k, I’m sure Zion is still loved like it was draft day, 2019. But in the NBA, where the game is played on the court, Zion doesn’t have close to the trade value of the #2 or #3 pick in this draft. Ingram doesn’t either. But he’s closer, and I could see a package built around him that nets one of those picks. Just not by the Human Rabbit’s Foot.
Seriously, why are all these comments so terrible?
Which of the following side dishes do you like the most and why? Rank in order if possible….
Macaroni and cheese
Green beans
Corn on the cob
Mashed potatoes with gravy
Collard greens
Coleslaw
Fried okra
French fries
Corn on the cob ……have you ever had it cooked underground. They bury it and cook it. That’s South American barbecue.
Go watch Raging Bull ….. learn something
Simons, Nurkic, little, Watford and 3rd pick for Ingram, CJ, Jonas and a 2nd Rd pick . Blazers resign Grant, Matisse and I guess player options to Knox and Johnson. Sign veterans.