The New Orleans Pelicans once sat atop the Western Conference standings after a statement road win over the Phoenix Suns. Zion Williamson was making the type of impact many expected he’d be capable of achieving. There was a lot of NBA season left to play, meaning there was no shortage of time left for the situation to unravel.
Williamson sustained a hamstring injury on Jan. 2 and never returned to the lineup for the remainder of the regular season, which ultimately ended his season with 29 games played. He averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 29 games while shooting 60.8 percent from the floor. What caused him to miss so much time?
An important piece of context to remember, Williamson was never cleared to play 5-on-5. However, there is a sense within the Pelicans organization that the 22-year-old has “a lot he can do better” to stay available for his team. The organization plans to evaluate the situation as a whole.
“I wish I could immediately pinpoint the answer. I think a big part is on him,” Pelicans president of basketball operations David Griffin said. “I think there is a lot he can do better. And he would, I think, tell you that. I think we need to do a better job examining the whole situation top to bottom a little bit better.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
At some point, counting on a player that seemingly never manages to be available for even half a season isn’t a viable option. The Pelicans had high hopes for what they could achieve after selecting him with the 1st overall pick. It was supposed to transform the franchise. They haven’t come close to winning a playoff series during this time. Things can change, of course, but there’s some real logic behind the idea of potentially moving on.
NBA Analysis Network recently looked at three bold Zion Williamson trades that could happen if, of course, the Pelicans decided they wanted to move on from him this offseason. In exchange for Williamson, the Thunder would send Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort, David Nwaba, a 2024 First-Round Pick (Top 4 Protected – HOU via OKC), a 2024 First-Round Pick (UTA via OKC), and a 2026 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC) to the Pelicans.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
The Thunder would be forming a fascinating team, but one that carries real risk as far as injuries are concerned. Chet Holmgren has yet to play in an NBA game after suffering a season-ending foot injury before his rookie campaign. Williamson has only appeared in 30 or more games in one of his five NBA seasons. If those two did share the floor, though? Watch out.
Holmgren has intriguing versatility as a shot blocker, shooting threat, and general offensive talent. Pair that up with Williamson, the NBA’s most tantalizing non-center interior force, and that frontcourt tandem would be practically impossible to contain. Factor in having Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the head of the snake, and that’s a lethal trio.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans & Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
The Pelicans would add an on-ball defensive stopper in Dort and a long-term point guard answer in Giddey. It would be an intriguing way to build around Brandon Ingram, considering they already have done a tremendous job of finding versatile wings like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. New Orleans would gain more assets to reconfigure the roster, too.
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