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Hornets reportedly prefer different Pels player over Zion

Brandon Ingram. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Hornets reportedly prefer different Pelicans player over Zion Williamson in potential trade

By Colum Dell | Last updated 6/17/23

The New Orleans Pelicans are set to pick 14th in the 2023 NBA Draft but are reportedly trying to trade up to select G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson.

While some speculate Zion Williamson could be on the move, it appears the Charlotte Hornets, who hold the No. 2 pick, would prefer New Orleans' other All-Star in any deal.

Appearing on Friday's "The Pat McAfee Show," The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that while New Orleans hasn't offered Williamson to Charlotte, the Hornets would likely prefer to acquire Brandon Ingram.

"The Pelicans want to go get [Henderson]," Charania said. "Realistically, the only way you're going to get a guy like that is you're gonna have to give up a guy like Zion Williamson … What I have heard is I don't know if the Hornets would want Zion. I think who the Hornets want is Brandon Ingram."

"To my knowledge the Pelicans haven't called the Hornets and offered Zion for the number two pick..

The Pelicans want Scoot Henderson and I'm told that the Hornets would want Brandon Ingram" ~ @ShamsCharania #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xsSv6YnYYA
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 16, 2023

In ESPN's latest mock draft, Alabama's Brandon Miller was selected with the second overall pick despite many viewing Henderson as the better prospect. Nevertheless, it's likely that concerns over Henderson's fit alongside LaMelo Ball have led Charlotte to prefer Miller and would explain the interest in Ingram, a fellow small forward.

Regardless of Charlotte's preference for Ingram, the Pelicans might not be willing to jump at such a trade. NBA insider Marc Stein reported Wednesday that New Orleans would be "less inclined" to trade Ingram as opposed to Williamson.

Even so, if Ingram is all that is needed to secure Henderson, it's hard to see why the Pelicans might be against it or would rather trade Williamson instead.

Although there have been plenty of concerns surrounding Williamson since entering the NBA, particularly his recent injury and off-court issues, trading him feels a bit premature. Williamson is only entering his age-23 season, is a 25.8-point-per-game scorer for his career and has already been named to two All-Star teams.

Additionally, Williamson has played 114 games since being drafted, and although that's not ideal, it's more than the 94 games Philadelphia's Joel Embiid played through his first four seasons. Embiid panned out despite his injuries; who's to say Williamson can't follow suit?

There's no doubt that Williamson has flaws, but he's still capable of being a borderline superstar-caliber player in the NBA, as he has shown when healthy. If the Pelicans are serious about winning a championship and wish to extend their window of opportunity to do so, they'd be better off trading Ingram instead of Williamson.

The Pelicans face a franchise-altering decision, and they must act quickly as the 2023 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 22.

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