The New Orleans Pelicans almost traded Zion Williamson during the 2022 offseason, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 season with a foot injury. The Pelicans, after not trading the Duke product, signed him to a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension.
“It was also relayed to me, via league sources, that the Pelicans did quietly hold some exploratory trade talks a year ago involving Williamson during the 2022 offseason before agreeing to sign him to a five-year max rookie scale contract extension worth nearly $195 million,” Stein wrote.
There have been several conflicting reports about whether Williamson is available on the trade market this offseason. Some reporters have said the Pelicans are open to trading the lefty, while others have said Zion will not be moved.
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. However, there have been questions about Williamson’s diet and dedication to basketball since he has only appeared in 114 out of possible 308 regular-season games since being drafted by the Pelicans with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
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 forward refused to work with Nelson sometimes.
“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
The Pelicans have been exploring the possibility of trading up in the 2023 NBA Draft to select Scoot Henderson, which has led to speculation that they are open to moving on from Williamson.
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