Hired as the Pelicans‘ new head of basketball operations in the spring, Joe Dumars opted against pursuing a trade of oft-injured forward Zion Williamson during his first summer on the job. However, with New Orleans off to a league-worst 3-19 start this fall and Williamson once again battling health issues – first a hamstring strain and now an adductor strain – it appears increasingly unlikely that the former No. 1 overall pick will be part of the team’s long-term future, writes Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints.
One league source who spoke to ClutchPoints speculated that the Pelicans would be willing to accept the “first decent, reasonable offer” they get for Williamson, but the 25-year-old’s value is diminished due to his injury history. New Orleans has yet to have any meaningful trade negotiations involving Williamson, according to Dodson, who notes that the team’s leverage is extremely limited.
Discussing the Williamson situation during an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of NBA Today (YouTube link), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said the two-time All-Star has “almost next to no value” and pointed out that the Pelicans remain incentivized to win games this season because they don’t control their own 2026 first-round pick.
“I know this sounds like a broken record,” Windhorst said, “but I think the pathway forward with Zion is continue to support him, like (interim head coach) James Borrego said, and continue to try to exhaust all pathways to get him into a space where he can be the dominant player that he is.”
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- While sharpshooter Trey Murphy III would have significant value on the trade market if he were made available, the Pelicans seem more inclined to view him as a core part of the team’s future rather than a trade asset, Dodson writes. One source tells ClutchPoints that New Orleans would want a Desmond Bane-type return in the event of a Murphy trade, with multiple first-round picks, a veteran contract, and a solid young prospect viewed as a starting point.
- Pelicans defensive stopper Herbert Jones also has plenty of trade value, with the Lakers and Warriors among the teams that have “actively” looked into pathways to acquiring him, Dodson reports.
- Guard Jose Alvarado is another New Orleans role player who has generated trade interest this fall, Dodson confirms. Alvarado, who is on a pseudo-expiring contract, with a $4.5MM player option in 2026/27, was previously said to be drawing interest from Indiana.
- Dodson suggests that attaching one of those coveted role players to Williamson may be the best way for the Pelicans to maximize their return in any trade involving the former Duke standout.
Lol Williamson and salary filler for AD would be hilarious
Why would anyone give up more than a ham sandwich for this loser. Plus he’d eat the sandwich.
Obvious 1st step to maximizing Zion would be to get him a pg. He was a beast when he played with prime Lonzo
Except the fact that it doesn’t matter which PG you bring in when Williamson can’t stay on the court.
Dumars is making a case for worst GM in the L right now. The draft day trade and sitting on Zion instead of trying to move him this past summer are both terrible choices.
Wow, sounds like a fire sale is coming.
Unfortunately I don’t see who would want Zion. It would have to be another bad contract or head case. Charlotte might. Charlotte might be only place where you can trade him.
Bridges, Green, #1 pick …….. try and get two picks
SAC!
0 trade market for Zion.
I fully expect Williamson to end up in Sacramento. A guy pretending to be a basketball player starring for a franchise pretending to be a team. It’s a match made in heaven.
Agree – it is inevitable.
Am I remembering wrong that Zion’s contract isn’t fully guaranteed after missing most of the season last year? Might make him more valuable than the 3 stepsister guards if you can take a chance on him and bail on it faster than the other guys…
I do Zach straight up man…. Clippers want DeM.
You can change it up Quick ….. Only you have to make Zion eat Sushi only. Stay away from the tortillas lol …….
Why would they trade a best player that is not building makes no sense Murphy stays rid Zion.
Bane is a perfect actually
Poole, Looney three 2nds for Desmond Bane
Trade Bey and a pick for Andre Drummond
Then sign Chris Paul
laZy Zion couldn’t care less about contributing to his team and is nothing but a grossly overpaid distraction. Find the first sucker gm and trade him for a can of spam. Pelicans would instantly improve.