While some reporters have expressed skepticism that the Pelicans are truly willing to make Zion Williamson available as they explore a move into the top three of the draft, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst suggested during the latest episode of The Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link) that Williamson appears far from untouchable.
“It’s surprising to me how out there it is in the league that the Pelicans are discussing Zion business,” Windhorst said (hat tip to RealGM). “I want to be very careful about the word ‘offer’ because that word is a dangerous word. I’m not sure that the Pelicans have ‘offered’ Zion to anybody, but every day that passes for the last five or six days, I hear different discussions the Pelicans have had that imply they are going to make Zion available. Him or Brandon Ingram.
“… At the very least, it is very clear that the Pelicans’ thought on Zion Williamson’s future with the team is evolving. That’s putting it mildly.”
As Windhorst notes, it can be a challenge at this time of year to assess which rumors are genuine and which ones are smoke screens. With that in mind, he’s “very wary” about how to handle the chatter about the Pelicans’ interest in trading up for Scoot Henderson.
“It is extraordinarily out there about how much the Pelicans are interested in Scoot Henderson,” Windhorst said. “To the point where I’m like, ‘How is this out there so hard unless the Pelicans want it out there?’ So I’m nervous about even giving that attention, but it is there.”
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday (Twitter video link), Shams Charania of The Athletic was asked about the rumors involving the Pelicans, Henderson, and Williamson and said that he doesn’t believe New Orleans has offered Zion to Charlotte for the No. 2 pick.
However, Charania noted that the only realistic way for the Pels to move up that far in the draft would be to give up a star player — he just isn’t sure that Williamson is the star the Hornets would be after.
“What I have heard is I don’t know if the Hornets would want Zion Williamson,” Charania said. “I think who the Hornets want, from what I’m told, is Brandon Ingram.”
Williamson (23 in July) is younger than Ingram (26 in September) and has put up better numbers when healthy, including a career average of 25.8 points per game. However, availability is an asset that can’t be overlooked when evaluating the two forwards. And while Ingram has dealt with various injuries of his own, he has appeared in 223 games over the last four seasons compared to Williamson’s 114.
It’s also worth noting that there have been rumblings that the Pelicans haven’t been thrilled with Williamson’s “overall approach,” including his preparation off the court. On The Hoop Collective podcast, after ESPN’s Tim MacMahon alluded to the off-court “drama” surrounding Zion, Windhorst referred to a divide between the team and the former No. 1 overall pick.
“There’s no relationship between Zion and the organization, and minimal relationship between Zion and his teammates, from what I understand,” Windhorst said.
Ingram, CJ McCollum and Jonas for 3rd pick, future draft consideration, Simons, Nurkic, little and Watford helps pelicans rebuild a little and Portland improve. Then Portland signs Grant.
The pelicans don’t need to rebuild though. When healthy, record wise, they are one of the best teams in the league and can make a legitimate run. Now if they can’t get Zion to buy in and they feel like they have to move on, then that probably changes things but I would be surprised if they didn’t try to bring back a star level talent for him first to see if they can still make a run. However, in my opinion, I would try to trade zion. Last year, when the pelicans were playing in the play in game (win or your season is done), Zion was medically cleared and had been for some time and was doing 360 windmill dunks at shoot around but then refused to play because “his mind wasn’t quite right yet”. I understand if you don’t feel quite yourself yet but if you don’t have that dog in you to at least give your team 10-20 minutes, you’re not going to be that guy. And teams need their best player to be that guy to be successful. Plus it’s gotta rub your teammates the wrong way seeing you do those dunks but say you can’t play.
Draft Henderson and Lively
If I’m the Pelicans I’ve got to dump Zion now. I don’t understand the point of holding on and hoping yet another year? Yes his talent and effectiveness is tantalizing but it’s time for the Pelicans to make a move in the land of reality. They’re on the doorstep of becoming something.
Sort of have to trade Zion while he is still a commodity. He plays 20 games or 30 Games next season you have to wonder with that contract if he then becomes a liability on the trademarket?
Gotta cut bait with Zion if you can dupe someone into taking him. I’m starting to see some Ben Simmons in him in that maybe he just really doesn’t even wanna play. Maybe he’s already reached all his goals – simply making it to the nba and getting his payday.
I hope not
If the pels aren’t impressed with his habits, you have to think other teams aren’t either. Pels are gonna ask the farm for the guy but what team is going to give that up for an often injured, out of shape, player that doesn’t seem to have any care about anything except his next meal?
Exactly.
Pels screwed themselves by giving him that FAT contract. /pun
This was a good write up
I would trade DLo for Zion
Lakers add a pick to make it work
I would F Angelina Jolie.
I’d also add a pick to make it work.
No one with 3 plus years on their contract is going anywhere.
Windbag is an experienced NBA reporter. I’m sure he knows the difference between player discussions and deal negotiations. He knows that nobody actually gets offered until there’s agreement on the basics of the deal. If a guy is being discussed, he’s in play to some degree (or his team is being disingenuous in bringing him up). No shame or shock in it. Any player who might be valued more by another team than his current one should be in play in the right asset level and discussed accordingly. Or the FO isn’t doing its job.
If I were the Pelicans I’d be trading Zion for whatever I could get…
Trade CJ to a contender…
Then build around Ingram unless someone makes an offer too good to refuse…
The team as constructed around Zion relies too much on his health which may be Oden level…
Time to reset and if Zion has an Embiid level turn around then so be it… Embiid ain’t winning no titles with his injury prone history now either…
That’s such a silly take and you contradict yourself. First, Zion still holds more value than “whatever they can get”. Second, embiid would be the example you give if you were making the argument to keep him because he has been mostly healthy after starting his career with injury plagued seasons. While Zion’s value has dipped, based on his age and ability, New Orleans can still get a really good player or several good players in return and still compete. They are a fringe playoff team without him so there’s no need to blow it up.
A fringe playoff team without him..
No better than the 76ers with him…
Embiid can’t be trusted to stay healthy enough to win a title…
If that’s the best case scenario, you move on whilst that is still a chance…
It’s not worth investing in being an also ran…
Only teams that should consider Zion. Are rebuilding teams. Getting him cheap and try and right his brain. I don’t see him having a long career in NBA. He’s already got his money. Another could have been should have been story ………
Now Ingram ….. he can help teams.
Keep doubting Zion…fools