Should the trade spotlight be shining on Pelicans' Zion Williamson?

Should the trade spotlight be shining on the Pelicans' Zion Williamson?

An NBA star WILL be traded before the Feb. 6 deadline. But with all the focus on Miami Heat wing Jimmy Butler, have we been ignoring the elephant in the room?

The theory of Zion Williamson is tantalizing. Once described by the great Shea Serrano as "a rhino who learned how to fly," the forward is a rare mixture of speed, power, touch (on his left hand, anyway) and spring-heeled elevation. At his best, Williamson can be the on-court offensive fulcrum and facilitate winning. 

Yes, his lack of rim protection means that he needs a center next to him, and his poor outside jumper means that the center must be able to stretch the floor, but Williamson’s gifts more than make up for his deficiencies.

The problem with theories is that they remain theories until proven. And Williamson hasn’t proved that he can be an offensive fulcrum or that he can facilitate wins on anything near a consistent basis. Williamson has played 192 of a possible 440 regular-season games throughout his career at the time of this writing. He has already missed an entire season and only passed the 65-game NBA award threshold once.

That season, 2023-24, was Williamson’s most promising. While his numbers (22.9 points, 5.8 boards, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals) were slightly down from the previous season, he suited up for 70 games and led the Pelicans to a play-in battle with LeBron James’ Lakers. 

Unfortunately, that game became a perfect encapsulation of Williamson’s career. He dominated, posting 40 points and 11 rebounds. Of course, he also left the game with a hamstring injury that finished his season. The Pelicans went on to lose in the first round of the playoffs. Williamson himself has yet to appear in a playoff game.

Currently sitting with the West’s worst record (8-32), do the Pelicans still believe in Williamson? Are they willing to bet that the practical eventually catches up to the theory? If they’re not, is any other club willing to take that risk?

Still only 24 years old, Williamson can change the entire outlook of an organization, should he be able to string games together. His contract (averaging around $39 million through to the 2028 season, though heavily incentivized) is far from untradable.

The injury risks, though, are very real. According to Basketball Reference, there have only been five players listed at over 280 pounds and no taller than 6-foot-9: Oliver Miller, Jahidi White, Glen Davis, Robert Traylor and Williamson. 

Williamson is far more athletic than any of the other four, though the torque that puts on his body may prove as much of a hindrance as it is a help. If Williamson plays NBA basketball into his 30s, he will be the only one of the five to do so. With Williamson’s oft-reported lack of discipline in professionally preparing his body, would another team be prepared to take that chance?

Let’s assume that there are teams that do covet the two-time All-Star. What sort of market would he appeal to?

Do the famously star-hunting Heat back their culture to turn Williamson’s career around? Does Milwaukee move Giannis Antetokounmpo to center as he starts to age and play with the most devastating at-the-rim combo the league has seen? Do the Bulls see Williamson as their new tentpole star? If nothing else, Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball throwing lobs to Williamson would be an awful lot of fun!

A smaller market, one that doesn’t traditionally attract big names, could also talk itself into acquiring Williamson. Detroit has taken a swing for an oft-injured star power forward before, though it could be a case of once bitten, twice shy for the Pistons. Could Portland add Williamson in a trade based on Jerami Grant’s contract? Would the Jazz throw their hats into the ring? Don’t put anything past Danny Ainge.

Ironically, Williamson’s best landing spot could well be where he is right now. New Orleans is a small market team that traditionally can’t attract big names but, when healthy, has enough depth and versatility to supplement what Williamson does well. 

Imagine if it wins the lottery again. The sight of Williamson and Cooper Flagg — slotting straight into Brandon Ingram’s old position — would be something to behold.

Do the Pelicans have the stomach to keep hold of Zion Williamson? Do other teams have the stomach to trade for him? Either way, if you’re bored of the Jimmy Butler narrative, keep an eye on New Orleans.