Pelicans Scoop

NBA Fans React to Latest Zion Williamson Trade Report

The New Orleans Pelicans could possibly trade Zion Williamson.

Terry Kimble

Nov 6, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dribbles against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Nov 6, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dribbles against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images / Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
In this story:

The New Orleans Pelicans' 5-25 record this season has completely dashed the hope the organization and fans had coming into this year. New Orleans won 49 games last year, the second-most in franchise history, and with the addition of Dejounte Murray, many thought the Pelicans might be a contender in the Western Conference. Now, they sit at the bottom of the standings, with widespread speculation they could move on from some of their top guys to build for the future.

One of those speculated to be moved is two-time all-star Zion Williamson, who is currently out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Williamson has not played a game since November 7th and has only appeared in six games this season. Availability is the former No. 1 overall pick's biggest weakness since joining New Orleans in 2019.

Zion Williamson
Dec 1, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) watches from the bench in the second quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

A new report from The Athletic's Jovan Buha suggests the Pelicans are shopping the star forward.

"Based on the reporting intel, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are at a certain level for them. They want to keep them. Those are two guys that are going to have a high price to give up, similar to L.A. with Austin Reaves. Seems like Zion, and Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum are the three guys they've been shopping more in terms of their core starters, and Dejounte Murray has not."

NBA fans have been reacting to this latest report on X.

"Ngl Zion needs a change of scenery I can see him bouncing back no troll," a fan commented.

"For the right price I’d go after Zion," a fan added. "He did just play almost the entire regular season last year and was good. The right team and medical staff could change his career."

"ZION GETTING OUT OF NEW ORLEANS WILL BE A BLESSING TO HIS CAREER," a fan replied.

"Too injury prone for a team to give up anything significant," another comment read.

"Need Zion on the court, regardless of what team it is," a fan said.

Williamson has only appeared in 190 games during his six years in the NBA, which is a little more than two full seasons. The team agreed to a five-year contract extension with the former Duke standout in 2022, but the deal contained stipulations for weight mandates and game availability.

The following season, Williamson played in just 29 games after injuring his hamstring in early January. This meant that some of the money on the deal became non-guaranteed, and the Pelicans could void part of the deal at no financial cost. Earlier this season, the star forward cut ties with his agency, CAA, who had represented Williamson since he was drafted in 2019.

Zion Williamson
Nov 8, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks on from the bench against the Orlando Magic in the third quarter at Kia Center. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Recently, Williamson returned to practice for just some light shooting. The Pelicans host the Houston Rockets on Thursday.

Related Articles

Zion Williamson Gets Brutally Honest After Blowout Loss to Warriors

New Orleans Pelicans Make Roster Move After Loss to Warriors

Brandon Ingram's Honest Statement on Pelicans' Loss to Warriors

Published
Terry Kimble
TERRY KIMBLE

Pelicans Scoop Writer

Home/News