Pelicans forward Zion Williamson saw his name pop up in several trade rumors leading up to the February deadline, but he made it clear at his Monday press conference that he hopes to stay with the team that selected him first overall in the 2019 draft, according to Brett Martel of The Associated Press.
“New Orleans is home for me. I don’t say that because I’m sitting in front of these cameras,” said Williamson, who has two seasons left on his maximum-salary contract. “When the offseason hits, a lot of guys leave the city. I live here. … I’ve been here since I was 19.”
While Williamson was pleased he was able to play 62 games this season, he said his play during was 2025/26 was just “OK” and was disappointed the team went just 22-40 when he was in the lineup (26-56 overall), Martel writes. The 25-year-old said he “100%” trusts head of basketball operations Joe Dumars, and hopes to play at least 75 games next season with an eye on making the playoffs.
Williamson plans to talk to Dumars, “other Hall of Famers” and “other championship players” in pursuit of the latter goal, Martel notes.
“I’m looking to take a different approach because it’s frustrating getting up here every year and not being in the playoffs — and I’ll take my responsibility in that. I definitely hold myself accountable,” Williamson said. “So, it’s time to start taking different approaches, gaining what knowledge I can and working on different things. I have to use the resources that I can to reach out and seek the information — seek the knowledge that I need.”
Here’s more on the Pelicans:
- When asked about a potential contract extension this summer, forward Saddiq Bey suggested he’s interested in staying with New Orleans long term, tweets Will Guillory of The Athletic. “I want to be here. The people in my circle know I want to be here as long as possible,” said Bey. The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him $6.44MM in 2026/27.
- Veteran guard Dejounte Murray refuted speculation that he returned to action this season just to rebuild his trade value, per Guillory (Twitter link). Murray tore his Achilles tendon on January 31, 2025, and made his season debut on February 24 of this year. The former All-Star said he hopes to stay with the Pelicans and is committed to the team, Guillory adds.
- Interim head coach James Borrego said Monday that he hadn’t spoken to Dumars about becoming the permanent coach, writes Rod Walker of NOLA.com. New Orleans is reportedly conducting a coaching search, with Borrego among the candidates for the job. “We’ve just been focusing on the day in and the task and the season,” Borrego said. “We didn’t get into the weeds of what’s next and what’s coming. We have had an initial conversation more on the reflection of the season and just looking back at what did we do well and what are some areas of improvement. Those conversations have started. That’s been our initial conversation. Where it goes from there we will see.” Dumars will address the media Tuesday, per Walker.
- ESPN’s Bobby Marks previews the Pelicans’ offseason (YouTube link), noting that the team doesn’t control a 2026 first-round pick after trading its own last year to move up and acquire Derik Queen. Marks says he’d consider extending Bey, though he wouldn’t offer him the full amount he’s eligible for (a projected $93MM over four years). Marks also expects the Pelicans to decline their $8MM team option on Kevon Looney for next season due to their financial situation, and says he’d be surprised if the front office runs back the same roster in ’26/27.
Decline Matković and Looney team options
Extend team options to Hawkins and Missi
Resign DeAndre Jordan
Play Queen at PF behind Zion
Draft and sign a young SG and SF to go with Queen, Fears and Missi. Fears and Queen sixth men
Murphy or Jones to SG starter
Most importantly sign two veterans a guard and a wing. 30+
Trade Poole and something like future 2nds for a starting C 26-29 years old
Perfect team
Learn from other teams mistakes – aka Philly – trade Zion while you have the chance to get any type of value.
Same rhetoric every year from Zion. The real problem of course is that he just isn’t a great player.
I expect wholesale change in the NBA this offseason. No intelligent owners will want to pay these absurd taxes with this new contract anymore.
Send 15th pick, with Patrick Williams and Essengue. Then draft the best available guard.
Giddey Buzelis Zion 9th pick is a good core to build around.
(Not serious btw).
Pelicans will be better next year. I think Zion knows it is tone to show something new. Hit the three dude. Queen and zion can share the floor.
I believe that NOP were hoping to get a relatively healthy year from Zion, so he can be traded for value. I think they got it. His contract is still not guaranteed except year to year, so there is not a lot of risk trading for him.
Queen is their interior scoring big going forward. Missi can be their defensive big. Matkovic is valuable as a floor spacing big. They’ll have a good PG tandem (Murray and Fears), and 3 excellent wings (Murphy, Jones and Bey). IMO, those 8 are the only definite keepers. In terms of the core rotation, they really just need to add a two way SG. Peavy and McGowens are controlled and cheap SG options, but, at this stage, are deeper backups.
No reason to keep Zion, Poole and Hawkins around. I don’t think they’ll get much for any of them, but, as expiring deals, they shouldn’t be that hard to move. Who knows, some team might still value Zion enough to send the NOP a decent pick or two. Fossils like Jordan or Looney should not be brought back. No reason they can’t get a veteran big that’s a significant upgrade. Queen doesn’t need a mentor, he needs a tag team partner. If they finish off the core, and stay healthy at a normal level, they can move out of the lottery quickly.