Zion Williamson has been absent from the New Orleans Pelicans this year, as he has been rehabbing a foot injury. There is no doubt that him being away from the team has affected their chances of being competitive this season, though they have definitely looked better lately with the acquisition of CJ McCollum.
There is no doubt that there has been a lot of speculation about Zion Williamson potentially leaving the New Orleans Pelicans from fans and analysts alike. Recently, Vincent Frank of Sportsnaut shared a trade scenario that would send Zion Williamson to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Zion Williamson, Devonte’ Graham, Larry Nance Jr.
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Jaren Jackson Jr., De’Anthony Melton, Ziaire Williams, a first-round pick
This trade would allow the Memphis Grizzlies to pair Ja Morant and Zion Williamson together, something that would give them another franchise-changing player. On the Pelicans' end, Frank claimed that Jaren Jackson Jr. would give them "another frontcourt star" to pair with young star Brandon Ingram.
Why would Memphis split up a core that boasts the third-best record in the NBA this season? It’s rather simple. Despite the injury question marks that would come with acquiring Williamson, he offers so much upside as a potential franchise cornerstone with elite young guard Ja Morant. His ceiling is much higher than Jaren Jackson Jr. right now. This move would also enable Memphis to keep the likes of Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks.
On the other hand, New Orleans made it clear during the NBA trade deadline that it has no intention of rebuilding. Moving off draft assets for McCollum was a primary example of this. In Jackson Jr., the Pelicans get another frontcourt star to go with Ingram. It also adds an upgrade at point guard over Devonte’ Graham in Melton as well as 2021 first-round pick Ziaire Williams and a future first-round selection.
This could definitely be an intriguing trade for the Memphis Grizzlies, especially since they're looking to become a championship-caliber team. Adding Zion Williamson would help further that goal. On the New Orleans Pelicans' end, getting a prospect like Jaren Jackson Jr. would be good in return for Zion Williamson, and they'd be getting some solid role players as well. However, the Pelicans would likely prefer to keep Zion Williamson, and trading him would be the last resort.
There is no doubt though, that Ja Morant and Zion Williamson would be a fantastic duo. It was even rumored that the New Orleans Pelicans tried to get both of them during the 2019 NBA Draft. While it is unlikely that we'll ever see the two play together, nothing is impossible.
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