For those who favor trade talk of Zion Williamson in hopes of seeing the 22-year-old dealt, the latest report to come out will bring you plenty of joy. With the New Orleans Pelicans looking to make a move up in the 2023 NBA Draft in a bid to pick guard Scoot Henderson, Williamson’s name has been front and center.
As revealed by Bill Simmons Bill Simmons podcastHe was told that Zion would pack his bags and be dealt with before enlisting on Thursday.
“Someone told me yesterday that I trust him [Zion Williamson] He won’t be on that team on Thursday. I was like, really, I didn’t hear that. And they were like, “You’re watching.” Simmons said.
It’s certainly the strongest statement made publicly up to this point regarding Williamson’s potential move from New Orleans, though it wouldn’t be the most surprising outcome. Assuming the Pelicans push to move up in the draft and pick Henderson, Zion makes sense as the potential centerpiece of the deal.
like Mark Stein reported on The Stein LineThere is a “rising level of discontent” within the Pelicans organization regarding Williamson’s lack of availability and “general approach”. However, there are two big potential issues in all of the trade talks, starting with the move the Pelicans are likely to make to ensure they can pick Henderson.
With the San Antonio Spurs with Victor Wimpanyama in first place, the Pelicans will need to climb to second place to avoid losing the G League Ignite to another team. The selection is currently being held by the Charlotte Hornets, and as revealed by The Athletic’s Shams Charania in his final appearance in “The Pat McAfee Show” He doesn’t know if the Hornets want Zion but he thinks the team wants Brandon Ingram.
Pelicans want to go [Henderson]said Charania. Realistically, the only way you’re going to get a guy like that is if you’re going to have to part with a guy like Zion Williamson. What I heard is that I don’t know if the Hornets want Zion. I think whoever the Hornets want is Brandon Ingram.”
This comes on the heels Reporting by Mark Stein that the Pelicans would be “less inclined” to trade with Ingram as opposed to Williamson.
All things considered, the Pelicans are fighting an uphill battle to seal the deal that secures Henderson’s touchdown, and even with all the roadblocks along the way, they’ll also have to hope the Hornets are open to even trading the No. 2 pick.