Zion Williamson may have already taken flight for the Pelicans for the last time.
New Orleans is reportedly considering trading the 2019 No. 1 overall pick, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is genuinely shocked at how the Pelicans saga developed over the last few days.
“I am kind of surprised at how out there it is,” Windhorst said during an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Thursday. “Over the last three or four days, as I talk to more and more teams, I continue to hear more conversations that the Pelicans are having about [trading Williamson].”
Since joining the Pelicans, Williamson has averaged 25.8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, shooting over 60 percent from the field, and has made two All-Star games – but his play on the court has never been the issue; it’s his time off of it that is a concern.
The 22-year-old has played in 114 games in his career while missing 194 contests due to multiple injuries to lower extremities, like his hamstring and foot.
In addition to the recent offseason drama surrounding Williamson’s personal relationships — including allegations made by former porn star Moriah Mills — Windhorst believes that the forward’s value may not be quite as high for a player that was one point compared to NBA legends like LeBron James and Charles Barkley.
With reports that the Pelicans are interested in moving up in the 2023 NBA Draft to select explosive guard Scoot Henderson, there are rumors that Charlotte might be the team that deals its No. 2 overall pick in exchange for Williamson.
“The question is: How does a trade work?” Charania said on FanDuel TV. “Do the Pelicans look hard, internally, at trading Zion Williamson? Or would they move Zion Williamson? Those are the big questions.”
Despite Williamson’s numbers, the team has been hovering around .500 while dealing with injuries to other key players such as forward Brandon Ingram, who has led the team in Williamson’s absence.
Adding Henderson, who averaged 16.5 points and 6.8 assists for G-League Ignite, would bring an athletic lead guard who oozes potential to the team – and at only 19 years old, he would be able to grow alongside the Pelicans younger core for years to come.
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