When Zion Williamson is on the floor, there are few NBA players better than the New Orleans Pelicans superstar. In 2019, the Pels made Williamson the No. 1 pick.
It didn’t take long for the explosive athlete to make his presence felt, averaging 22.5 points per game as a rookie. The next season, Williamson would make his first All-Star appearance.
But then the 6-foot-6, 284-pound power forward suffered a Jones fracture in his right foot, causing him to miss the entire 2021-22 season. This lengthy absence, combined with Williamson playing just 85 games in his first two years, may have led to some doubt within the organization.
According to Marc Stein, the Pelicans actually “quietly held exploratory trade talks” involving Williamson during the 2022 offseason before they agreed to a five-year, $195 million extension with their franchise player. Previous indications from Stein indicate the Pelicans may be more hesitant to trade Brandon Ingram than Williamson at this stage.
More rumors suggest the Charlotte Hornets are willing to part with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and are seeking Brandon Ingram as the key centerpiece, but the Pelicans may not be ready to shake their roster up that much after experiencing success when everyone was healthy last season.
While Williamson may have been tossed around in a few potential trade scenarios in the past, it’s hard to imagine the Pelicans moving on from their cornerstone, barring a massive trade return. Being that he played just 29 games last season, an offer too strong to refuse may not come this summer.
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