Bill Simmons Wants This New Orleans Pelicans Star on Team USA, And It’s Not Zion Williamson

From there, Williamson spent the past few years battling injuries and various issues away from the court. Fortunately, he was healthy enough to play 70 games this season, the most of his five-year stint in the NBA. During that stretch, the Pelicans’ All-Star forward tallied 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

Williamson’s rejuvenated run this season helped New Orleans land a playoff spot via the Play-In Tournament this year. But after a monster game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Pels forward injured his hamstring, causing him to miss the final Play-In game and the subsequent first round showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Bill Simmons Wants New Orleans Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III to Join Team USA, Not Zion Williamson

While Williamson boasts more talent, Trey Murphy III may offer Team USA more upside and a better fit, according to Simmons. In a video posted by Pelicans Film Room on X:

Over the course of 57 games this season, 23 of which Murphy started for the Pels, the small forward averaged 14.8 points on 38 percent shooting from deep, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest. His tall frame and wide wingspan also allowed him to defend multiple positions, while being skilled enough to shoot the ball on the other end of the court.

Team USA has no shortage of scorers, such as Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. Adding Murphy into the lineup, instead of Williamson, will allow the team to be more versatile on defense and offense without taking too much time away from other stars.