It’s “very unlikely” that the Pelicans will trade forward Zion Williamson before the 2025/26 season tips off, reports William Guillory of The Athletic.
It was another injury-shortened season in 2024/25 for Williamson, who was limited to 30 or fewer games for the fourth time in his six years in the NBA. His injury woes, along with a disappointing season for the Pelicans as a whole and a front office overhaul that saw Joe Dumars hired as the team’s new head of basketball operations, have led to speculation that the former No. 1 overall pick could be on the trade block this summer.
However, Guillory says there has been communication between Dumars and Williamson’s camp on “several occasions” since the former Pistons executive replaced David Griffin in New Orleans last month. According to Guillory, both sides are feeling good about where the relationship stands ahead of next season.
Echoing prior reporting from Marc Stein, Guillory also confirms that the Pelicans’ decision to make Williamson their on-stage representative at this month’s draft lottery was “very intentional,” as was Zion’s decision to be there. Stein previously noted that Williamson’s presence at the lottery on behalf of the organization was a strong signal that he’ll remain a franchise centerpiece in New Orleans.
Although Williamson has been limited to 214 total regular season games across six NBA seasons and has never suited up in the playoffs, he has been terrific when he has been available, with career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 31.4 minutes per contest.
As Guillory notes, after missing a chunk of the season due to hamstring issues, the former Duke star looked to be in the best shape of his career and was playing some of his best basketball during the second half of the season. That stretch served as a reminder that the Pelicans can get more from a healthy Williamson on the court than they could realistically hope to get in exchange for him on the trade market.
Still, while he views a Williamson trade as a long shot to happen this summer, Guillory cautions that the new front office is unlikely to be as patient as the previous regime was with the 24-year-old if he continues to have issues related to his health, conditioning, and/or work ethic.
Williamson is owed approximately $126.5MM across the next three seasons.
There’s a reason the Pelicans have the least wins in NBA history.
More than one
Um…. Would that reason be because they are the newest team in NBA history?
The Timberwolves have the worst winning percentage in all time in NBA history at .416
The Charlotte Hornets say hello
Pels making the best of it imo. Unlikely he ever stays healthy, but worth betting on since they won’t get that much if they move him.
But still not promising bc even if he miraculously stays on the court, Pels are incapable of being a fully healthy team all at once. Head scratching
What a terrible contract. Anyone with common sense knew he wouldn’t stay healthy. He rather eat double cheeseburgers and drink 2 liters of soda than work out.
Why would anyone take Zion unless it was on the cheap ….
He will only play for his next contract. So that won’t be till 2027-28 season. He’s what I call heavy baggage. With emphasis on HeAvY
I’m with Al here. Who would really want him? He’s either bad or injured and mostly at the same time. Pass. Drafting him was almost as bad as the Bulls taking Patrick Williams over Haliburton and virtually every other guy in that draft in the top 10 who turned out better. Brutal
Even when Zion plays, this team hasn’t done anything. First round playoff exit is all I can remember. He is 24, and still all “potential “ and no results. If I was a Pelicans’ fan I would be ready to turn the page…
PELS gonna need the strongest juju, voodoo magic to have a stretch of good health for its players.
Good luck.
Ghost of Christmas Future here… I would trade your oft-injured generational talent now, before it’s too late.
This is right …….. hence my posts on SIXERS threads – try to get Embiid, Podcast P to play for a good stretch of games next season, then attempt to trade them in the open market.
SIXERS fans should never forgive Morey for giving Embiid that massive extension and for even considering trading for Podcast P …… both are never healthy, even if they get to play in the playoffs, both underperform, always.
Zion is 24, he is on a very team friendly contract that isnt going to last much longer (probably 2 years idk). Philly is tied to a 31 year old player on a NON team friendly contract that just had an injury that might retire him.
I am sorry for your team tho
Smart decision by the Pels, but they have to improve their medical/training staff and build the roster better
They need a nutritionist.
It’s not that they don’t want to trade him, they could put him out there for a 10th round pick and no one would bite on that salary hit.
Pels are afraid to trade him we know.