Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Sends Zion Williamson To Pistons

One NBA analyst thinks the Detroit Pistons should trade for New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson this summer. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Pistons and Pelicans: 

Detroit Pistons receive: Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans receive: Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, Bobi Klintman, a 2027 first-round pick (top-three-protected) and a 2025 second-round pick (via TOR)

The Pistons made the playoffs this year for the first time since 2019. They lost to the New York Knicks in the first round in six games. 

Meanwhile, the Pelicans had the second-worst record in the West. 

Williamson has played in just 45% of his possible games with the Pelicans since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The lefty has never played in a postseason game. 

Williamson appeared in 30 games for the Pelicans this season. He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 56.7% from the field and 65.6% from the free-throw line. 

A two-time All-Star, Williamson has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 214 games. 

The Pelicans signed Williamson to a five-year, $197 million extension in 2022. Williamson will make $39,446,090 next season, $42,166,510 in 2026-27 and $44,886,930 in 2027-28, the final season of his contract. 

“The Pistons had a magical first season under coach J.B. Bickerstaff, but external upgrades are almost certainly required to take the next step,” Buckley wrote. “Cade Cunningham needs a legitimate co-star to have a fighting chance of probing deep into the playoffs. His teammates are either not ready or not talented enough to tackle that role.

“Detroit has to find another high-end point producer, and a healthy Williamson fills it up like few others. He nearly averaged an efficient 25 points this season, and he wasn’t even logging 30 minutes per game (or 29 for that matter). And since his healthy version is so seldom seen, the Pistons should be able to add him without emptying their asset collection, meaning this franchise could go big-game hunting again if he can’t stay on the floor or if this roster still wouldn’t have enough.”