One NBA insider thinks the New Orleans Pelicans would have to trade Zion Williamson to move up in this year’s draft to select point guard Scoot Henderson.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN says the Pelicans, who currently have the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, are trying to move up and get Henderson and that may only happen if they trade Williamson.
The San Antonio Spurs have the first overall pick and will select Victor Wembanyama. The Charlotte Hornets have the second pick, while the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons round out the top five.
Henderson is “very interested” in being drafted second overall by the Hornets, sources tell Jonathan Givony of ESPN. The explosive guard grew up in Marietta, Georgia, so playing for the Hornets would allow him to remain close to his hometown.
The Pelicans missed the playoffs this year after making it in 2022. The team lost the 9-10 play-in game to the Oklahoma City Thunder at home.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Williamson only played in 29 games this season due to an injury. The lefty has appeared in just 114 NBA games since being drafted by the Pelicans with the first overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Duke.
According to Christian Clark of NOLA.com, Williamson’s relationship with New Orleans vice president of player care Adrian Nelson became strained during his rookie season and the lefty refused to work with Nelson sometimes. There have been several questions about Williamson’s diet and commitment to basketball.
“Williamson’s relationship with Nelson became strained during his rookie season,” Clark wrote. “At different points, Williamson refused to work with him. It was a rocky first few months for Nelson, whose arrival to the Pelicans was trumpeted with a glowing 1,800-word profile on their team website.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Zion signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension with the Pelicans in July 2022. When he’s been on the court, Williamson has been a superstar. The North Carolina native has career averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
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