Pelicans forward Zion Williamson told reporters on Monday that he hopes to remain in New Orleans going forward. On Tuesday, executive VP of basketball operations Joe Dumars suggested in his own end-of-season press conference that the former No. 1 overall pick will get his wish.
“We have no intentions of doing that,” Dumars responded when asked about the possibility of trading Williamson this summer (subscriber-only story via Rod Walker of NOLA.com). “We are going into the offseason looking forward to Zion coming back next year and playing great again next year.”
Williamson, who was limited to 30 games in 2024/25 due primarily to hamstring and adductor strains, had a healthier year in ’25/26, making 62 appearances and averaging 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 29.7 minutes per game. It was just the third time in seven NBA seasons that the 25-year-old has been able to play in at least half of New Orleans’ games.
The fact that he avoided major injuries this season and has just two seasons remaining on his five-year, maximum-salary contract should give Williamson’s trade value a bump entering the summer, but it doesn’t sound as if Dumars is eager to pursue a deal.
Obviously, the Pelicans’ head of basketball operations isn’t under oath when he’s speaking to reporters, so there’s nothing to stop him from stating that he plans to keep Williamson and then changing his mind later in the offseason. But it’s worth noting that Dumars gave the former Duke star a similar vote of support early in the 2025 offseason, shutting down the trade rumors surrounding Zion at that time, and he ultimately stuck to his vow that Williamson would open the 2025/26 season with the team.
More trade rumors swirled around Williamson during the season, but he once again stayed put, and Dumars suggested on Tuesday that the Pelicans weren’t the ones initiating the discussions that led to those rumors.
“Those phone calls come in and people ask about a player and two hours later it comes out that you had a conversation about (trading) a player,” Dumars said. “But you left out the most important part. We said no.”
Because he appeared in 61-plus games this season, Williamson’s 2026/27 salary of $42.2MM is at least 80% guaranteed entering the offseason — it would be fully guaranteed if he meets certain weight-related benchmarks or if he remains under contract through July 15, which appears to be a lock. The Pelicans forward, who will be extension-eligible this offseason, will make $44.9MM in 2027/28 and would reach unrestricted free agency in ’28 if he doesn’t sign a new contract before then.
Which really means they have no intention of trading him for the offers they had currently or recently received so if you want him up the offer.
Exactly.
Yeah, he is definitely getting traded this summer haha.
Pro sports is full of “Bronx Tales” lols.
The national and local media. Destroyed the Knicks for not winning the lottery that year. They had worst record in NBA. Wound up with 3rd pick, RJ Barrett.
Missed out on the two most troubled guys in draft. If Zion or Ja would have come to NY. They might be history by now. Basketball gods looked out for Knicks.
At 25 yrs old. Zion played 62 gms, 30 mins, 60% FG
21 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast.
Thats a good season. Someone will take him. I would take best offer and move on.
Zion probably has negative value with that contract and publicity
Well he should…
I would fire Joe today. His time as a competent FO person has come and gone.
Not buying it. Queen can’t provide his highest and best unless he’s the first interior option on his team. Same with Zion. It’s not an issue of whether they can play together, but whether they can each be at their best playing together. These are both 2 level first option scorers; so no, they can’t.