Potential can be a tricky thing. It can tempt you, but you don’t know if it will be realized or not. One of the main jobs of an NBA general manager is to gauge a player’s potential.
Sometimes, that job is easier than other times. Take Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. Heading into the draft, his potential was undeniable. Is that still the case?
Unfortunately, durability concerns have limited his potential. Perhaps that’s why it’s been rumoured that the Pelicans could look to move him this summer. Could they send him to the Portland Trail Blazers this summer?
NBA Trade Proposal
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Anfernee Simons, G/F Matisse Thybulle, 2026 First-Round Pick (POR)
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Zion Williamson
A prospect’s potential is one thing. That’s difficult enough to measure. How do you measure the potential of a player who’s been in the league for a short time?
That’s a question the Blazers must be asking themselves. They were certainly hoping that Scoot Henderson would be performing better during his rookie campaign. At the same time, it’s far too early to draw conclusions about Henderson’s future.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
On the other hand, Simons is already a star producer. He’s been in the league for a while. Can Simons get better, or has he hit his ceiling? Should the Pelicans find out?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
It’s being rumoured that the Pelicans could choose between Williamson and Brandon Ingram this summer. It won’t be an easy decision to make. Williamson has a higher ceiling, but Ingram is reliable – and quite good in his own right.
Here, we’ve got them choosing Ingram. They’re also bringing in reinforcements. Simons is a dy
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers Updatesnamic offensive guard who can space the floor and create for himself and his teammates.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans already have a lot of draft capital. They’re adding an unprotected first here. In theory, they could move that pick, some of their other picks, and CJ McCollum for a star who compliments Ingram and Simons. Does Williamson compliment Henderson?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Blazers have a lot of guard talent. We’ve touched on Henderson and Simons, but Shaedon Sharpe has flashed potential in his own right. At some point, they may need to bolster their frontcourt.
Henderson and Williamson have similar shot profiles. They’d both prefer to get to the rim rather than shoot. Still, the collective rim pressure of those two and Sharpe could overwhelm opponents.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Blazers would have to surround their star trio with floor spacing. Sharpe’s shooting development will be critical to making this work. If he can develop into a knockdown shooter, this group could have limitless potential.
