Zion Williamson’s NBA Trade Value Gets Shocking Update

NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN says New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson’s trade value around the NBA is not “sky high.”

The Pelicans are trying to move up in the 2023 NBA Draft to select Scoot Henderson. Most NBA execs believe New Orleans is open to parting ways with Williamson, who has only appeared in 114 out of possible 308 regular-season games since being drafted by the Pelicans with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke.

“I don’t think his value is sky high right now,” Windhorst said. “But he has a contract that protects the Pelicans or whatever team from further injury. It’s not fully guaranteed. Obviously, his value in January was a lot higher after another injury-plagued season.”

Williamson signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension with the Pelicans in July 2022. When he’s been on the court, Zion has been a superstar. The North Carolina native has career averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

However, there have been questions about Williamson’s diet and commitment to basketball.

According to Christian Clark of NOLA.com, Williamson’s relationship with New Orleans vice president of player care Adrian Nelson became strained during his rookie season and the forward refused to work with Nelson sometimes.

“Williamson’s relationship with Nelson became strained during his rookie season,” Clark wrote. “At different points, Williamson refused to work with him. It was a rocky first few months for Nelson, whose arrival to the Pelicans was trumpeted with a glowing 1,800-word profile on their team website.”

The Pelicans are open to trading Williamson this offseason if they can move up in the 2023 draft and select Henderson, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. New Orleans is less inclined to consider trading Brandon Ingram in the same scenario.